CVE-2008-1893 in Online Banking
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in index.php in W2B Online Banking allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the ilang parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1893 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the W2B Online Banking system's index.php script. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic file inclusion operations. The vulnerability specifically affects the ilang parameter, which is processed without sufficient security controls to prevent malicious input from being interpreted as valid file paths or URLs.
This remote code execution vulnerability operates through a classic path traversal and file inclusion attack vector where an attacker can manipulate the ilang parameter to reference external malicious files hosted on remote servers. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to inject arbitrary PHP code by crafting a URL that gets executed within the context of the web application, bypassing normal security boundaries and potentially granting full control over the affected server. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and CWE-94, which covers improper execution of code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to install backdoors, modify application behavior, steal sensitive banking information, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks against the organization's network infrastructure. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of remote services for initial access and persistence.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1893 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. The primary fix involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. Developers should employ whitelisting approaches for language parameters, restricting input to predefined valid values rather than accepting arbitrary user input. Additionally, disabling remote file inclusion capabilities in PHP configuration through the allow_url_include directive should be enforced, while implementing proper input filtering and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting this vulnerability, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar flaws in other application components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing remote code execution attacks that can lead to complete system compromise.