CVE-2010-1978 in FreePHPBlogSoftware
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in default_theme.php in FreePHPBlogSoftware 1.0, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the phpincdir parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
The CVE-2010-1978 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in FreePHPBlogSoftware version 1.0 that exploits a fundamental security weakness in PHP application architecture. This vulnerability specifically targets the default_theme.php script and leverages the dangerous register_globals configuration setting that was prevalent in older PHP environments. The flaw occurs when an application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input parameters before incorporating them into file inclusion operations, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary PHP code through carefully crafted URL parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the insecure handling of the phpincdir parameter within the default_theme.php file. When register_globals is enabled, PHP automatically creates global variables from GET, POST, and cookie data, effectively merging user-supplied input directly into the application's variable namespace. Attackers can manipulate the phpincdir parameter to point to malicious remote URLs containing PHP code, which then gets executed on the target server. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-88 category known as "Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" in its exploitation of web application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides remote attackers with complete code execution capabilities on the affected server. Successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, data theft, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential use as a foothold for further network infiltration. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction to exploit and can be automated through various attack vectors. Organizations running FreePHPBlogSoftware 1.0 with register_globals enabled face significant risk of unauthorized code execution, data breaches, and potential complete system takeover.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary and most effective mitigation is to disable register_globals in the PHP configuration, which eliminates the core condition that enables this attack vector. Additionally, developers should implement proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The application should employ whitelisting approaches for file inclusion parameters and utilize absolute paths instead of dynamic user input. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangers of legacy PHP configurations that were never properly deprecated, aligning with ATT&CK tactic T1059 "Command and Scripting Interpreter" through the execution of malicious PHP code. The vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of how configuration weaknesses can lead to catastrophic security breaches when combined with insecure coding practices.