CVE-2008-7042 in Fresh Email Script
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in url.php in FreshScripts Fresh Email Script 1.0 through 1.11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the tmp_sid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7042 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the FreshScripts Fresh Email Script version 1.0 through 1.11. This vulnerability resides in the url.php script and specifically targets the tmp_sid parameter, creating an exploitable condition that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected system. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of user-supplied data, allowing malicious actors to inject external URLs that are then processed by the application's include functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic remote file inclusion pattern where the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the tmp_sid parameter before using it in an include or require statement. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL as the tmp_sid value, the application processes this input without adequate security controls, leading to the inclusion of remote code that gets executed on the server. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-88, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and is categorized as a code injection vulnerability within the broader context of web application security. The ATT&CK framework would classify this under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it targets publicly accessible web applications that are vulnerable to remote code execution through parameter manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, complete system compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, steal database credentials, modify website content, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks against other systems. The vulnerability affects organizations using outdated versions of the Fresh Email Script, which were widely deployed in 2008, making it a significant concern for legacy systems that may not have received proper security updates or patches. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access or local credentials, making the attack surface particularly dangerous.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-7042 must focus on immediate remediation through patching the vulnerable software to the latest available version that addresses this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to ensure that all user-supplied parameters are thoroughly checked before being used in include statements. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by configuring web servers to restrict file inclusion operations and by implementing proper access controls that prevent the execution of arbitrary code. Network-based mitigations include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious parameter values, particularly those containing URLs or file paths. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in web traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Additionally, organizations should establish proper software inventory management practices to ensure that legacy applications are either patched, updated, or removed from production environments to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.