CVE-2008-3763 in PHP Live Helper
Summary
by MITRE
Variable overwrite vulnerability in libsecure.php in Turnkey PHP Live Helper 2.0.1 and earlier, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary variables related to the db config file. NOTE: this can be leveraged for code injection by overwriting the language file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3763 represents a critical variable overwrite flaw within the Turnkey PHP Live Helper 2.0.1 software ecosystem. This issue specifically targets the libsecure.php component where improper input validation and variable handling creates opportunities for malicious exploitation. The vulnerability manifests when the PHP configuration parameter register_globals is enabled, a deprecated setting that automatically creates global variables from input data such as GET, POST, and COOKIE parameters. This configuration creates dangerous conditions where attacker-controlled data can directly influence the application's internal variable state, leading to potential privilege escalation and code execution scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the insecure handling of user input within the libsecure.php file, which processes database configuration parameters. When register_globals is active, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming parameters before assigning them to critical variables. Attackers can manipulate HTTP request parameters to overwrite configuration variables that control database connections, authentication mechanisms, and file access paths. This particular flaw demonstrates a classic example of insecure direct object reference vulnerability, where the application's failure to validate parameter boundaries allows unauthorized modification of system-critical variables.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration overwrites to encompass potential code injection capabilities that can be leveraged for full system compromise. By carefully crafting input parameters, attackers can overwrite variables that control language file inclusion, which serves as a critical attack vector for remote code execution. This exploitation pathway aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Command and Scripting Interpreter" and "Exploitation for Code Execution." The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious code into language files that are subsequently included and executed by the web application, effectively providing a backdoor for persistent access and further exploitation.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a manifestation of CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, and CWE-20, Improper Input Validation, which together create the conditions for variable overwrite attacks. The remediation approach requires immediate deactivation of the register_globals PHP directive, which should be considered a critical security measure as this feature was officially deprecated in PHP 5.3.0 and removed entirely in PHP 5.4.0. Additionally, comprehensive input validation and sanitization should be implemented throughout the application to prevent parameter manipulation, while proper variable scoping and explicit variable initialization should be enforced to prevent unintended variable overwrites. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar insecure coding practices that may exist in legacy applications and prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the broader attack surface.