CVE-2009-4993 in LM Starmail Paidmail
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in home.php in LM Starmail Paidmail 2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4993 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the LM Starmail Paidmail 2.0 web application. This issue resides within the home.php script where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input parameters. The specific vulnerability manifests when the application accepts a URL through the page parameter without adequate sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-88, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in an eval() context, and more broadly aligns with CWE-94, representing improper control of generation of code. The flaw directly enables attackers to leverage the application's file inclusion mechanism to load malicious code from remote servers, effectively bypassing local security controls and executing unauthorized commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server. Once exploited, adversaries can upload backdoors, steal sensitive data, modify existing files, or even establish persistent access through the compromised system. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system and can exploit it from anywhere on the internet. This particular flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of remote services for initial access, and T1059, covering the execution of malicious code through command and scripting interpreters. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it allows for the execution of arbitrary PHP code, which means attackers can potentially leverage the full capabilities of the PHP runtime environment, including database access, file system operations, and network communications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites and can be accomplished through simple HTTP requests that manipulate the page parameter to point to malicious remote resources. Attackers typically construct URLs that include their malicious payload in the page parameter, which gets processed by the vulnerable application and subsequently executed on the server. The lack of input validation creates a direct path for attackers to bypass normal application security measures and gain unauthorized access to system resources. This vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution flaw and represents a significant risk to organizations running affected versions of LM Starmail Paidmail 2.0. The mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the application, implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, and applying web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious requests. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing the principle of least privilege for web applications, restricting file inclusion capabilities to only trusted sources, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web infrastructure.