CVE-2008-2981 in HomePH Design
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in admin/templates/template_thumbnail.php in HomePH Design 2.10 RC2, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the thumb_template parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2981 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the HomePH Design 2.10 RC2 content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the admin/templates/template_thumbnail.php component and exploits a fundamental security weakness that arises when the PHP configuration parameter register_globals is enabled. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server by manipulating the thumb_template parameter through a URL-based attack vector.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the PHP application's handling of user-supplied data. When register_globals is enabled, PHP automatically creates global variables from request parameters, effectively merging them into the global namespace. This configuration creates a dangerous condition where attacker-controlled input can directly influence the execution flow of the application. The template_thumbnail.php file fails to properly validate or sanitize the thumb_template parameter, allowing an attacker to provide a malicious URL that gets included and executed as PHP code within the application context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching within the affected environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can achieve complete remote code execution on the web server hosting the HomePH Design application. This level of access enables the attacker to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows code execution without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for automated attacks and exploitation by threat actors.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command, and represents a variant of the broader class of remote code execution vulnerabilities that have plagued web applications for decades. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to the execution phase of the kill chain as defined by the ATT&CK framework, specifically targeting the execution tactic where adversaries establish persistence and gain control over target systems. The vulnerability also corresponds to the web application security domain and falls under the category of code injection flaws that have been consistently ranked among the top security risks in various industry standards including OWASP Top Ten.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to address the root cause. The primary recommendation involves disabling the register_globals configuration parameter in PHP settings, which eliminates the automatic creation of global variables from request data. Additionally, the application should implement proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in include or require statements. The code should be updated to use explicit variable declarations and avoid dynamic inclusion of user-provided paths. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues throughout the application codebase.