CVE-2018-11031 in PHPRAP
Summary
by MITRE
application/home/controller/debug.php in PHPRAP 1.0.4 through 1.0.8 has SSRF via the /debug URI, as demonstrated by an api[url]=file:////etc/passwd&api[method]=get POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11031 resides within the PHPRAP web application framework version 1.0.4 through 1.0.8, specifically in the debug.php controller file located at application/home/controller/debug.php. This issue represents a server-side request forgery vulnerability that allows remote attackers to make arbitrary requests from the server to internal network resources. The vulnerability is accessible through the /debug URI endpoint and can be exploited by crafting a malicious POST request with specific parameters that manipulate the application's internal request handling mechanisms. The proof-of-concept demonstrates how an attacker can leverage this flaw to read local files on the server by using the file:// protocol scheme in the api[url] parameter.
The technical flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input passed through the api[url] parameter in the debug functionality. This parameter is directly used to construct HTTP requests without adequate sanitization or protocol validation, allowing attackers to specify arbitrary protocols including file:// which enables access to local system resources. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and a lack of proper access controls on the debug endpoint, which should typically be disabled or restricted in production environments. This weakness is classified as a server-side request forgery vulnerability under CWE-918, which specifically addresses situations where applications make untrusted requests to internal systems. The issue represents a critical security gap in the application's architecture that allows lateral movement and information disclosure attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to perform reconnaissance and data exfiltration from the compromised system. An attacker can leverage the SSRF vulnerability to access sensitive system files such as /etc/passwd, which contains user account information, or potentially other system configuration files that may reveal internal network topology, application credentials, or other sensitive data. Additionally, the vulnerability could be used to perform internal network scanning by targeting internal services that are not directly exposed to the internet. The ability to read local files represents a significant information disclosure risk that can lead to further exploitation opportunities including credential theft, privilege escalation, and system compromise. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1104 (Multi-Stage Channels) as it enables attackers to gather system information and potentially establish persistent access through the exfiltration of sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected PHPRAP versions to the latest secure release that addresses the SSRF issue. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied data, particularly when constructing URLs or making external requests. The debug endpoint should be disabled in production environments or restricted to trusted IP addresses and authenticated users only. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to internal resources from the web application server. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments and implement proper monitoring to detect suspicious requests to debug endpoints. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should also establish proper access controls and regularly review application configurations to ensure that development features are not exposed in production environments.