CVE-2008-0433 in phpAutoVideo
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in theme/phpAutoVideo/LightTwoOh/sidebar.php in Agares phpAutoVideo 2.21 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the loadpage parameter, a different vector than CVE-2007-6614.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0433 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the phpAutoVideo content management system version 2.21 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the theme/phpAutoVideo/LightTwoOh/sidebar.php component where user input is improperly validated and directly incorporated into file inclusion operations. The flaw exists in the loadpage parameter which accepts external URLs without adequate sanitization, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server. This vulnerability type falls under the CWE-98 category of Improper Input Validation, specifically manifesting as a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited through web application input handling.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it through the loadpage parameter to the vulnerable sidebar.php script. The application fails to validate or sanitize the input before using it in a file inclusion context, allowing the attacker to reference external resources that contain malicious PHP code. This creates a remote code execution scenario where the web server processes and executes the attacker-controlled code as if it were part of the legitimate application. The vulnerability operates through a different attack vector than CVE-2007-6614, indicating a distinct implementation flaw within the same software ecosystem. This particular weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it represents a common web application vulnerability that can be leveraged by attackers targeting exposed web services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breaches. Successful exploitation allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to the web server, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects organizations running vulnerable versions of phpAutoVideo, making them susceptible to automated attacks and targeted exploitation campaigns. Given that this vulnerability existed in versions 2.21 and earlier, it demonstrates a critical gap in the software's input validation mechanisms and highlights the importance of proper security testing and code review practices. Organizations utilizing this software face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential system compromise, particularly when the vulnerable application is accessible from untrusted networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0433 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that address the remote file inclusion vulnerability. System administrators must implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent unauthorized file inclusion operations, including restricting the loadpage parameter to only accept local file paths or predefined safe URLs. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and block malicious requests targeting this vulnerability. Security hardening practices should include disabling remote file inclusion features entirely and implementing strict access controls for file operations. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential remote file inclusion vulnerabilities within their web applications, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security gaps in input handling and validation processes. The remediation process should follow established security protocols and include comprehensive testing to ensure that the applied fixes do not introduce new functionality issues while effectively addressing the identified vulnerability.