CVE-2008-0144 in NetRisk
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in index.php in NetRisk 1.9.7 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the page parameter. NOTE: this can also be leveraged for local file inclusion using directory traversal sequences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0144 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the NetRisk 1.9.7 software and earlier versions. This vulnerability exists within the index.php file and manifests through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied parameters. The flaw specifically affects the page parameter which is directly incorporated into PHP include statements without adequate security controls, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it through the page parameter, enabling the web application to include and execute remote PHP code. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command, and more specifically aligns with CWE-94, which addresses the execution of arbitrary code. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of both remote file inclusion and local file inclusion attacks, as it can be leveraged through directory traversal sequences to access local files and execute code locally.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with potentially full system compromise capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to the web server, execute commands with the privileges of the web server process, and potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative access to the underlying system. This vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and deployment of additional malware or backdoors. The vulnerability also poses significant risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system and its data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of several security measures. The primary defense involves sanitizing all user input parameters, particularly those used in include statements, by implementing strict input validation and whitelisting mechanisms. Organizations should disable the ability to pass external URLs for file inclusion operations and implement proper parameter validation that prevents directory traversal sequences. Additionally, the PHP configuration should be reviewed to ensure that remote file inclusion is disabled by setting the allow_url_fopen and allow_url_include directives to off. This vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, making it a critical target for security hardening and monitoring efforts. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software versions.