CVE-2010-2132 in OES
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Open Education System (OES) 0.1 beta allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the CONF_INCLUDE_PATH parameter to (1) forum/admin.php and (2) plotgraph/index.php in admin/modules/modules/, and (3) admin_user/mod_admuser.php and (4) ogroup/mod_group.php in admin/modules/user_account/, different vectors than CVE-2007-1446.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2132 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting the Open Education System version 0.1 beta. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and improper input validation, with the specific weakness classified as CWE-88 - Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command. The affected system fails to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary file paths that can be executed on the target server. The vulnerability specifically targets four distinct files within the OES application structure, each representing different attack vectors that collectively expand the exploitation surface.
The technical exploitation mechanism leverages the CONF_INCLUDE_PATH parameter which is processed without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious URLs that are then included and executed as PHP code. This vulnerability operates through the principle of remote code execution via file inclusion, where the attacker can manipulate the include statement to reference external malicious files hosted on attacker-controlled servers. The attack vectors span across multiple administrative modules including forum management, graph plotting functionality, and user account management, demonstrating the widespread nature of the input validation failure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows for arbitrary code execution, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1190 for exploit public-facing application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as successful exploitation provides attackers with complete control over the affected server. Attackers can execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and further lateral movement within network infrastructure. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple modules indicates a systemic design flaw rather than isolated code issues, making the overall system architecture particularly vulnerable to attack. Organizations running this version of OES would be at significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential use as a staging ground for further attacks. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access or prior authentication.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected OES version to address the input validation flaws and implement proper parameter sanitization. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious requests targeting the affected parameters. Input validation should be strengthened through proper sanitization of all user-supplied data, particularly parameters that influence file inclusion operations. The implementation of a secure coding practice framework should be enforced, ensuring that all include and require statements use predefined safe paths rather than user-controllable variables. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious include operations and anomalous file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding guidelines and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to prevent similar issues in future development cycles.