CVE-2010-0975 in PHPCityPortal
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in external.php in PHPCityPortal allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the url parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0975 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the PHPCityPortal web application ecosystem. This security weakness resides in the external.php script which processes user-supplied input through the url parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter or escape user-provided URLs before incorporating them into the application's execution flow. Such a flaw fundamentally compromises the application's integrity and can lead to complete system compromise when exploited by threat actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-98, which specifically addresses improper restriction of operations within a recognized black list, or more precisely the remote file inclusion pattern that allows attackers to specify external URLs that get included and executed as part of the application's PHP processing. The flaw operates through the standard PHP include or require functions that accept dynamic URL parameters, enabling attackers to craft malicious URLs that point to remote servers hosting malicious PHP payloads. This creates a direct pathway for code execution, bypassing normal application security controls and potentially allowing adversaries to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the compromised environment.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes organizations using PHPCityPortal to significant risk of unauthorized access and system compromise. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands on the target server, potentially gaining full control over the web application and underlying infrastructure. The implications extend beyond immediate code execution to include data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the vulnerable application resides. The attack vector requires minimal sophistication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by both skilled attackers and automated malware campaigns, significantly increasing the attack surface and potential damage scope.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0975 should prioritize immediate patching of the vulnerable PHPCityPortal application to address the root cause of the file inclusion vulnerability. Organizations must implement robust input validation measures that reject or sanitize any URL parameters before they are processed by the application's include functions. The implementation of allowlists for acceptable URL formats and strict validation of input parameters represents the most effective defensive approach. Additionally, security configurations should disable remote file inclusion capabilities within PHP settings through appropriate php.ini directives, specifically by setting allow_url_include to off. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional layers of defense, while regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in the software security principles of the OWASP Top Ten and ATT&CK framework's execution techniques targeting remote code injection vulnerabilities.