CVE-2013-2227 in GLPI
Summary
by MITRE
GLPI 0.83.7 has Local File Inclusion in common.tabs.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2227 affects GLPI version 0.83.7 and represents a critical local file inclusion flaw within the common.tabs.php component of the system. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and allows unauthorized users to include local files on the server through manipulated input parameters. The flaw specifically resides in how the application handles tab parameters in the common.tabs.php file, where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into file inclusion operations without proper validation or sanitization. This creates an opportunity for attackers to access sensitive system files, potentially leading to information disclosure, system compromise, or further exploitation of the vulnerable environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal attack vector where the application fails to properly validate the tab parameter before using it in a require or include statement. When an attacker crafts a malicious request with a crafted tab value, the system processes this input directly, allowing for arbitrary file inclusion from the local filesystem. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to access configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other sensitive materials that may be stored locally on the server. This flaw enables attackers to escalate their privileges and gain deeper access to the underlying infrastructure, making it a high-severity issue that requires immediate attention.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using GLPI for IT asset management and help desk operations. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable full system compromise, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire GLPI installation, potentially exposing sensitive organizational data including user credentials, system configurations, and business-critical information. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or use it as a stepping stone for more extensive attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability also impacts the availability of services, as successful exploitation could lead to system instability or complete service disruption.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest patched version of GLPI, which addresses this vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and implementing proper access controls to limit exposure. Additional defensive measures include configuring web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious file inclusion patterns, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) techniques, as attackers can use it to execute commands and enumerate system files. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation, monitoring for unusual file access patterns, and establishing incident response procedures specifically tailored to address local file inclusion vulnerabilities.