CVE-2009-4750 in Top Paidmailer
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in home.php in Top Paidmailer allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4750 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Top Paidmailer application's home.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the page parameter, which directly influences the inclusion process of PHP files. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that get processed by the application's include mechanism, thereby enabling remote code execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-88, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, highlighting the dangerous nature of parameter manipulation in file inclusion contexts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the insecure use of dynamic file inclusion functions within PHP applications. When the page parameter is passed to the home.php script without proper validation or sanitization, the application treats the input as a legitimate file path or URL. This creates an attack surface where an attacker can inject malicious URLs pointing to remote servers hosting malicious PHP code. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic insecure direct object reference pattern combined with remote file inclusion, where user input directly controls the file inclusion process without adequate security controls. According to ATT&CK framework, this maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as the vulnerability affects publicly accessible web applications and allows for remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected server. Successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and the establishment of persistent backdoors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload malicious files, execute arbitrary commands, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected web application and underlying infrastructure. Organizations running affected versions of Top Paidmailer face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within their network. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4750 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected application to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion contexts. The implementation of a whitelist-based approach for file inclusion parameters, where only predefined and trusted files can be included, provides a robust defense mechanism against such attacks. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring and blocking suspicious requests containing malicious URLs. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file inclusion patterns and attempts to access external URLs through application parameters. According to industry best practices and security standards, this vulnerability requires immediate attention and remediation as it represents a high-severity risk that can lead to complete system compromise. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar insecure coding practices within the application codebase.