CVE-2007-6553 in TeamCal Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in TeamCal Pro 3.1.000 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the CONF[app_root] parameter to (1) tcuser.class.php, (2) absencecount.inc.php, (3) avatar.inc.php, (4) csvhandler.class.php, (5) functions.tcpro.php, (6) header.html.inc.php, (7) joomlajack.tcpro.php, (8) menu.inc.php, (9) other.inc.php, (10) tcabsence.class.php, (11) tcabsencegroup.class.php, (12) tcallowance.class.php, (13) tcannouncement.class.php, (14) tcconfig.class.php, (15) tcdaynote.class.php, (16) tcgroup.class.php, (17) tcholiday.class.php, (18) tclogin.class.php, (19) tcmonth.class.php, (20) tctemplate.class.php, (21) tcusergroup.class.php, or (22) tcuseroption.class.php in includes/, possibly a related issue to CVE-2006-4845.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6553 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting TeamCal Pro version 3.1.000 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the application's configuration handling mechanism, specifically targeting the CONF[app_root] parameter. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious URLs that are then processed by the application's include functions, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability impacts multiple include files within the includes/ directory, demonstrating a systemic issue in the application's parameter handling and input sanitization processes.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and CWE-94, which covers execution of arbitrary code through untrusted input. The attack vector operates through the exploitation of PHP's include functionality, where user-controllable parameters are directly incorporated into include statements without proper validation or sanitization. The affected files span across various core components including user management, absence tracking, configuration handling, and template processing, indicating the breadth of impact within the application's architecture. The vulnerability's classification as a remote file inclusion issue places it within the ATT&CK framework under TA0002 (Execution) and TA0005 (Defense Evasion) techniques, as attackers can execute malicious code remotely and potentially evade detection mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for any organization running affected TeamCal Pro installations. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload backdoors, establish persistent access, steal sensitive data, modify application behavior, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks against internal networks. The vulnerability affects not just individual user accounts but can potentially provide attackers with access to the entire application database and underlying system resources. The widespread nature of the affected files suggests that a single exploitation attempt could compromise multiple application functionalities and data sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves upgrading to TeamCal Pro version 3.1.001 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization techniques, particularly for parameters that are used in include statements. The application should employ whitelisting approaches for configuration parameters rather than accepting arbitrary input. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and network segmentation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security headers and content security policies should be configured to prevent unauthorized file inclusion operations. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on input validation and include statement handling should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of validating all user inputs before processing them in server-side applications.