CVE-2007-6471 in phPay
Summary
by MITRE
Incomplete blacklist vulnerability in main.php in phPay 2.02.01 on Windows allows remote attackers to conduct directory traversal attacks and include and execute arbitrary local files via a ..\ (dot dot backslash) in the config parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6471 represents a critical security flaw in phPay 2.02.01's main.php script that specifically affects Windows operating systems. This issue stems from an incomplete blacklist implementation that fails to properly validate user input containing directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability manifests when attackers manipulate the config parameter to include ..\ sequences, which are standard directory traversal patterns used to navigate up directory levels in file systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the improper sanitization of input parameters within the phPay application's main.php file. When the application processes the config parameter without adequate validation, it allows malicious users to inject directory traversal sequences that bypass the intended security controls. This incomplete blacklist approach fails to account for all possible variations of traversal attacks, particularly the ..\ pattern specific to Windows file systems where backslashes are used as path separators. The vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. Successful exploitation allows attackers to include and execute local files on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive system files, execute malicious code, and gain unauthorized access to the underlying operating system. The Windows-specific nature of the ..\ traversal pattern makes this particularly dangerous in Windows environments where attackers can exploit the path traversal to access system directories and execute commands with the privileges of the web server process.
This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter for remote code execution. The attack vector involves the inclusion of local files through the vulnerable parameter, allowing adversaries to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The incomplete blacklist approach also relates to ATT&CK technique T1210, which covers exploitation of remote services through the manipulation of input parameters. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangers of relying solely on blacklist approaches for security controls.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including input validation that properly handles Windows-specific path traversal sequences, implementation of allowlists instead of incomplete blacklists, and immediate patching of the phPay application to version 2.02.02 or later. The recommended approach involves implementing comprehensive path validation that rejects all directory traversal sequences regardless of their format, including ..\ patterns specific to Windows environments. Additionally, system administrators should ensure that the web server operates with minimal privileges and that proper access controls are implemented to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.