CVE-2009-1677 in Bitweaver
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple static code injection vulnerabilities in the saveFeed function in rss/feedcreator.class.php in Bitweaver 2.6 and earlier allow (1) remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary PHP code into files by placing PHP sequences into the account s "display name" setting and then invoking boards/boards_rss.php, and might allow (2) remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code into files via the HTTP Host header in a request to boards/boards_rss.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-1677 represents a critical static code injection flaw within the Bitweaver content management system version 2.6 and earlier. This vulnerability exists within the saveFeed function located in the rss/feedcreator.class.php file, which serves as a core component for generating rss feeds within the platform. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code through multiple attack vectors, creating significant security risks for affected systems. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its potential for both authenticated and unauthenticated exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where Bitweaver installations are deployed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the feed creation process. Attackers can manipulate the account's "display name" setting to inject malicious PHP code that gets executed when the rss feed is generated and accessed through the boards/boards_rss.php endpoint. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to HTTP Host header manipulation, allowing remote attackers to inject code without prior authentication. This dual attack surface demonstrates poor security practices in parameter handling and input validation, where user-supplied data flows directly into executable code contexts without proper sanitization. The flaw aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows attackers to gain complete control over affected systems through remote code execution. An attacker with access to a valid account can inject malicious PHP code that executes with the privileges of the web server, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or further lateral movement within the network. The unauthenticated attack vector through HTTP Host header manipulation expands the threat surface significantly, as any remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability without requiring valid credentials. This vulnerability directly enables techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1105 for "Remote File Execution," making it a critical concern for organizations running vulnerable Bitweaver installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1677 require immediate action including patching the vulnerable Bitweaver version to a patched release that properly sanitizes input parameters before processing. Organizations should implement input validation controls that filter or escape special characters in user-supplied data, particularly in fields that may be used in code generation contexts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to monitor for suspicious Host header values and unusual patterns in feed requests. Access controls should be strengthened to limit the ability of authenticated users to inject malicious code, and regular security audits should verify that all user inputs are properly sanitized before being processed by the feed creation system. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly in systems that generate dynamic content or code from user-provided data, aligning with security standards that emphasize defensive programming and principle of least privilege.