CVE-2009-4622 in Drunken:Golem Gaming Portal
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in admin/admin_news_bot.php in Drunken:Golem Gaming Portal 0.5.1 alpha 2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the root_path parameter, a different vector than CVE-2007-0572.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4622 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Drunken:Golem Gaming Portal version 0.5.1 alpha 2, specifically within the admin/admin_news_bot.php component. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input passed through the root_path parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute foreign PHP code. Unlike similar vulnerabilities such as CVE-2007-0572 which may have different attack vectors, this particular issue demonstrates the persistent nature of remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in web applications where user input directly influences file inclusion operations. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command, and CWE-94, which addresses improper control of generation of code, both of which are fundamental weaknesses in input validation and code execution control. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it allows for complete system compromise through remote code execution, enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to server resources and potentially escalate privileges within the network infrastructure. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and the establishment of persistent backdoors within the gaming portal environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites and can be accomplished through simple HTTP requests that manipulate the root_path parameter to include malicious URLs. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting specially formatted URLs that point to malicious PHP scripts hosted on remote servers, which then get executed within the context of the web application. The vulnerability's persistence stems from the application's failure to implement proper input validation or sanitization mechanisms before using user-supplied data in file inclusion operations. This weakness creates an environment where attackers can bypass authentication mechanisms and directly interact with the server's file system through the web interface. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which describes the use of PHP for execution, and T1566.001, which covers the exploitation of remote services through malicious input. The security implications are compounded by the fact that this vulnerability affects administrative components, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges and access sensitive administrative functions within the gaming portal.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4622 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary solution involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. Organizations should disable the ability to pass external URLs directly into file inclusion functions and instead enforce the use of predefined, whitelisted paths. The implementation of PHP's safe_mode and open_basedir directives can provide additional protection by restricting file access to specific directories. Security measures should include disabling remote file inclusion capabilities entirely through php.ini configuration settings, as well as implementing proper web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious parameter manipulation attempts. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application, particularly focusing on areas where user input directly influences system operations. The remediation process must also include updating to patched versions of the Drunken:Golem Gaming Portal or implementing compensating controls such as input validation libraries and runtime application self-protection mechanisms. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive logging of all administrative activities to facilitate forensic analysis in case of successful attacks.