CVE-2008-5210 in PhpBlock
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in PhpBlock A8.5 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the PATH_TO_CODE parameter to (1) script/init/createallimagecache.php, (2) allincludefortick.php and (3) test.php in script/tick/, and (4) modules/dungeon/tick/allincludefortick.php, different vectors than CVE-2008-1776.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5210 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the PhpBlock A8.5 web application framework. This issue manifests as multiple remote file inclusion vulnerabilities that enable attackers to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the PATH_TO_CODE parameter within several key script files including script/init/createallimagecache.php, allincludefortick.php, test.php located in script/tick/, and modules/dungeon/tick/allincludefortick.php. These attack vectors differ from CVE-2008-1776, indicating a distinct exploitation pathway that requires separate mitigation strategies.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the PhpBlock application's file inclusion mechanisms. When the application processes the PATH_TO_CODE parameter without adequate verification, it becomes susceptible to malicious URL injection attacks. Attackers can craft specially formatted URLs that, when passed to these vulnerable scripts, cause the application to include and execute remote PHP code from external servers. This represents a classic remote file inclusion vulnerability that aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and CWE-94, which covers execution of arbitrary code. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that process user input without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected web server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, steal sensitive data, modify application functionality, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit it. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to automated attack tools and increases the potential attack surface significantly. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the PhpBlock framework and could impact any application utilizing this particular version of the software, creating widespread potential for exploitation across multiple systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5210 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided patches or upgrading to a patched version of PhpBlock A8.5 that resolves the remote file inclusion vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures to ensure that all user-supplied input, particularly parameters used in file inclusion operations, undergoes strict verification. This includes implementing allowlists for acceptable file paths and rejecting any input containing suspicious characters or URL schemes. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and block suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable endpoints. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that web application processes run with minimal required permissions and that file inclusion operations are restricted to predefined safe directories. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the multi-stage nature of attacks that leverage such vulnerabilities. System administrators should also implement comprehensive monitoring and logging to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to address successful breaches. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.