CVE-2010-2146 in Visitor Logger
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in banned.php in Visitor Logger allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the VL_include_path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2146 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Visitor Logger application's banned.php component. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw specifically resides in how the application processes the VL_include_path parameter, which should never have been trusted as a user-controlled input. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate external input before using it in file inclusion operations, directly violating security principles of input validation and secure coding practices. According to CWE-98, this vulnerability maps to improper file inclusion where the application incorporates files based on user-supplied input without adequate sanitization, making it susceptible to remote code execution attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving remote code execution through web application vulnerabilities, specifically under the T1059.007 sub-technique for PHP code injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it as the VL_include_path parameter to the banned.php script. When the application processes this parameter without proper validation, it effectively includes and executes the remote file specified in the URL. This creates an execution environment where attackers can inject malicious PHP code, potentially gaining full control over the affected web server. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary code execution, which means attackers can perform actions such as creating backdoors, exfiltrating data, or establishing persistent access to the compromised system. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation and lateral movement within the network, as the compromised web server may have access to internal resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2146 is severe and far-reaching for organizations running affected versions of Visitor Logger. System administrators face the risk of complete compromise of web applications, leading to potential data breaches, service disruption, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access or prior authentication, making it particularly attractive for automated attack campaigns. Organizations may experience reputational damage from data breaches, regulatory fines from compliance violations, and operational costs associated with incident response and system remediation. The vulnerability also increases the attack surface for broader network compromises, as compromised web servers often serve as entry points for further infiltration into corporate networks. Security teams must consider the implications of this vulnerability in their overall security posture, as it represents a fundamental flaw in input handling that could be exploited by various attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2146 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves patching the application to properly validate and sanitize all user-supplied input before using it in file inclusion operations. Organizations should implement strict input validation that rejects any external URLs or file paths that do not match expected patterns and locations. Additionally, configuring the web server with proper restrictions on file inclusion operations, such as disabling allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen directives, significantly reduces the attack surface. Security best practices recommend implementing a whitelist approach for file inclusion, where only pre-approved files can be included, rather than allowing arbitrary paths. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should monitor for suspicious file inclusion patterns, while regular security audits and code reviews can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting known vulnerability patterns, and establish comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.