CVE-2008-7034 in PHPEcho CMS
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in kernel/smarty/Smarty.class.php in PHPEcho CMS 2.0 rc3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in unspecified vectors that modify the _smarty_compile_path variable in the fetch function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2017
The CVE-2008-7034 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within PHPEcho CMS version 2.0 rc3 that exposes the application to arbitrary code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the kernel/smarty/Smarty.class.php file where the fetch function manipulates the _smarty_compile_path variable, creating an exploitable condition that adversaries can leverage to inject and execute malicious PHP code remotely. The flaw resides in the application's improper handling of user-supplied input during template compilation processes, making it a classic example of insecure direct object reference and remote code execution vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the insecure processing of the _smarty_compile_path variable within the Smarty template engine integration. When the fetch function processes user-controllable input, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the URL parameters that influence the compilation path. This allows attackers to inject malicious URLs that point to remote servers hosting attacker-controlled PHP payloads. The vulnerability operates through unspecified vectors that modify the compilation path, effectively bypassing normal input validation mechanisms and enabling the execution of arbitrary code on the target server. This type of flaw maps directly to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command or query, and CWE-94, which covers the execution of arbitrary code.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-7034 is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once exploited, the vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to full system takeover, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access or authentication. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services, and T1059, which involves executing commands through various interfaces. Organizations running affected versions of PHPEcho CMS face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected PHPEcho CMS version, as well as implementing input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious URLs from being processed. The recommended approach includes disabling remote file inclusion functionality within the Smarty template engine configuration, implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied parameters, and employing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious URL patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing proper access controls, regular security assessments, and monitoring for unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and the principle of least privilege in web application development, particularly when dealing with template engines and dynamic content processing.