CVE-2011-4075 in phpLDAPadmin
Summary
by MITRE
The masort function in lib/functions.php in phpLDAPadmin 1.2.x before 1.2.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the orderby parameter (aka sortby variable) in a query_engine action to cmd.php, as exploited in the wild in October 2011.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4075 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within phpLDAPadmin version 1.2.x prior to 1.2.2. This issue resides in the masort function located within the lib/functions.php file, which processes user-supplied input without adequate sanitization or validation. The vulnerability specifically affects the query_engine action in cmd.php where the orderby parameter, also known as the sortby variable, is processed. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets directly incorporated into PHP execution contexts, enabling arbitrary code execution on the target system. The vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild during October 2011, demonstrating its significance and the immediate threat it posed to deployed installations.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation and insecure coding practices that allow direct user input to influence the execution flow of PHP code. When the orderby parameter is passed through the query_engine action, the masort function fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before using it in dynamic PHP operations. This creates a classic command injection vulnerability where attacker-controlled data becomes part of the PHP execution environment. The vulnerability maps to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for PHP code injection. The flaw essentially allows attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code that gets executed by the web server, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4075 is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations that deploy phpLDAPadmin for directory management tasks. Successful exploitation can result in full system compromise, allowing attackers to execute commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to data exfiltration, lateral movement, or persistence within the network. Since phpLDAPadmin is commonly used in enterprise environments for managing ldap directory services, this vulnerability could provide attackers with access to sensitive directory information and user credentials stored in the ldap directory. The attack vector requires only a web browser to send malicious requests to the vulnerable application, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without authentication. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their directory services and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4075 center around immediate patching of the phpLDAPadmin application to version 1.2.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the input validation issues. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the phpLDAPadmin interface, particularly when it's exposed to untrusted networks. Input validation should be strengthened at the application level by implementing proper sanitization of all user-supplied parameters before they are processed. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in query_engine requests that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting this specific vulnerability. The fix implemented in version 1.2.2 addresses the root cause by properly validating and sanitizing the orderby parameter, preventing the injection of malicious code into the PHP execution context and aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.