CVE-2023-49544 in Customer Support System
Summary
by MITRE • 03/02/2024
A local file inclusion (LFI) in Customer Support System v1 allows attackers to include internal PHP files and gain unauthorized acces via manipulation of the page= parameter at /customer_support/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49544 represents a critical local file inclusion flaw within the Customer Support System v1 software, classified under CWE-98 as improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command. This vulnerability exists due to inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's parameter handling, specifically targeting the page= parameter in the /customer_support/index.php file. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the page parameter to include arbitrary local files on the server, potentially leading to unauthorized access and system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this LFI vulnerability occurs through direct manipulation of the page parameter which controls which PHP file gets included and executed within the application context. When the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input passed through this parameter, it allows attackers to traverse the file system and include sensitive PHP files that should remain inaccessible to unauthorized users. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-49544 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges and access sensitive system resources. Through careful manipulation of the page parameter, attackers can potentially include configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive files that may contain authentication tokens, encryption keys, or other critical system information. The vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious file and T1078 for valid accounts, as successful exploitation can lead to persistent access and privilege escalation within the compromised system.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent path traversal attacks and ensure that only predetermined, legitimate file paths can be included through the page parameter. The application should employ a whitelist approach for file inclusion, where only explicitly allowed files can be accessed, rather than relying on user input to determine which files to include. Additionally, proper file access controls and privilege separation should be implemented to minimize the impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with OWASP Top 10 2021 category A03: Injection, specifically addressing the LFI attack vector that can lead to unauthorized access and system compromise.