CVE-2008-6740 in HoMaP
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in html/admin/modules/plugin_admin.php in HoMaP-CMS 0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the _settings[pluginpath] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-6740 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the HoMaP-CMS 0.1 content management system. This issue resides in the html/admin/modules/plugin_admin.php file where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into file operations. The vulnerability specifically affects the _settings[pluginpath] parameter which is processed without adequate security controls, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious URLs that can be executed as PHP code on the target server. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices that directly violate fundamental security principles for preventing code injection attacks.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-88 category of "Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command" and more specifically aligns with CWE-94, "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" which encompasses remote file inclusion attacks. The attack vector leverages the inherent trust model of the application where user-supplied parameters are directly used in file inclusion operations without proper sanitization or validation. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" within the execution phase, as attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for remote code execution, which provides attackers with complete control over the affected server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This allows for unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of website content, installation of backdoors, and establishment of persistent access points. The vulnerability also enables attackers to escalate privileges and move laterally within the network if the compromised server has access to other systems. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target environment. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited automatically by malicious bots, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the root cause of the insecure file inclusion mechanism. The primary remediation involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. Applications should employ allow-list validation techniques where only predefined, trusted values are accepted for the pluginpath parameter. The implementation of proper input sanitization routines, including the use of functions like escapeshellcmd() and escapeshellarg() for shell command execution, can prevent malicious input from being processed. Organizations should also implement proper file inclusion security measures such as disabling remote file inclusion in PHP configuration, using absolute paths instead of dynamic URLs, and implementing proper access controls for administrative functions. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that administrative functions require proper authentication and authorization before allowing access to sensitive operations. Regular updates and patches should be applied to all software components, and security monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts.