CVE-2009-3331 in DDL
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in DDL CMS 1.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the wwwRoot parameter to (1) header.php, (2) submit.php, (3) submitted.php, and (4) autosubmitter/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3331 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the DDL CMS 1.0 content management system. This issue stems from improper input validation mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic file inclusion operations. The vulnerability specifically affects four distinct PHP scripts including header.php, submit.php, submitted.php, and autosubmitter/index.php, all of which accept a wwwRoot parameter that can be manipulated by remote attackers to inject malicious URLs.
This vulnerability classifies under CWE-88 as improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command, and more specifically aligns with CWE-94 which covers execution of arbitrary code or commands. The flaw operates by allowing attackers to manipulate the wwwRoot parameter to point to remote malicious files, thereby enabling the CMS to include and execute arbitrary PHP code from external sources. The attack vector leverages the predictable nature of file inclusion functions within PHP applications that do not properly validate or sanitize input parameters before using them in include or require statements.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for any system running DDL CMS 1.0. Remote attackers can gain complete control over the affected web server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the web server process, which typically has access to database credentials, file system resources, and potentially network access to internal systems. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where the CMS is used to manage sensitive content or where it shares resources with other critical applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3331 should prioritize immediate patching of the DDL CMS 1.0 application to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement input validation measures that sanitize all user-supplied parameters before they are processed, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by configuring web server permissions to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the attack surface, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangers of allowing user-controllable data to influence file inclusion operations, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through scripting and T1566 for social engineering via remote services.