CVE-2018-10759 in ProjectPier
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in public/patch/patch.php in Project Pier 0.8.8 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands or SQL statements via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2020
The CVE-2018-10759 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in Project Pier version 0.8.8 and earlier, exposing systems to arbitrary code execution and potential database compromise. This vulnerability exists within the public/patch/patch.php script where the id parameter is improperly validated and directly incorporated into file inclusion operations without adequate sanitization. The flaw stems from insecure input handling practices that allow malicious actors to manipulate the id parameter to reference remote files or execute malicious code within the application context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-98, which describes improper file inclusion vulnerabilities where user-supplied input is used to determine which files to include or execute. The vulnerability operates through a classic remote file inclusion attack vector where an attacker can craft a malicious id parameter value that, when processed by the vulnerable application, results in the inclusion of external files from remote servers. This mechanism enables attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include potential database manipulation through SQL injection techniques that can be combined with the remote file inclusion capability. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, gain persistent access to the system, or extract sensitive data from the underlying database. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of Project Pier's patch management system, making it a prime target for exploitation since patch operations are typically performed with elevated privileges and require system access.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploitation of remote services through the use of remote file inclusion vulnerabilities. The attack chain typically involves initial reconnaissance to identify vulnerable systems, followed by crafting malicious payloads that exploit the id parameter to establish remote code execution capabilities. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures, including whitelisting acceptable parameter values and employing strict type checking to prevent unauthorized file inclusion operations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected Project Pier installations to version 0.8.9 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with rules specifically designed to detect and block malicious file inclusion attempts can provide additional protection layers. Input sanitization should be enforced at multiple levels including application code validation, database query parameterization, and network-level filtering to prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack, particularly focusing on file inclusion operations and user input handling mechanisms.