CVE-2008-4720 in Gemini Portal
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in The Gemini Portal 4.7 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the lang parameter to (1) page/forums/bottom.php and (2) page/forums/category.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4720 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within The Gemini Portal 4.7 content management system that exposes the application to arbitrary code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects two distinct files within the application's forum functionality, namely page/forums/bottom.php and page/forums/category.php, where the lang parameter is improperly validated and sanitized. The flaw stems from the application's failure to properly validate user input before incorporating it into file inclusion operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of remote file inclusion attacks. When attackers manipulate the lang parameter with a malicious URL, the application processes this input without adequate sanitization, allowing the PHP interpreter to treat the supplied URL as a legitimate file path. This creates a scenario where attackers can load external PHP files from remote servers, effectively enabling them to execute malicious code with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of input validation failure and dynamic code execution, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses normal security controls that would typically prevent unauthorized file access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations using The Gemini Portal 4.7, as it allows complete remote code execution without requiring authentication or prior access to the system. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent backdoors, steal sensitive data, compromise other systems on the network, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations. According to ATT&CK framework domain T1190, this vulnerability maps to the exploitation of remote services through the use of remote code execution techniques, while T1078 covers the potential for privilege escalation once the initial compromise is achieved.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest version of The Gemini Portal that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the vendor would have implemented proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation in the affected files would prevent malicious URLs from being processed, while restricting file inclusion operations to predefined safe paths. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by detecting and blocking malicious requests targeting the vulnerable parameters. The remediation process should also include comprehensive code review to identify similar patterns in other parts of the application that might be susceptible to the same class of vulnerabilities, ensuring that all dynamic file inclusion operations are properly secured through input validation, whitelisting, and proper access controls.