Vulnerability Note VU#515417

PHPCow file inclusion vulnerability

Overview

Older versions of PHPCow contain a file inclusion vulnerability that could allow an attacker to take control of a vulnerable application.

I. Description

PHPCow is a content management system that uses PHP. Older versions of PHP contain a file inclusion vulnerability. We are aware of reports that this issue being actively exploited.

II. Impact

A remote attacker may be able to take control of a vulnerable PHPCow application.

III. Solution

Upgrade

It is not clear which versions of PHPCow are vulnerable. The PHPCow suppport team has reported that recent versions of PHPCow addressed this issue. Contact PHPCow for more information about obtaining updated software.

Workarounds for administrators

Administrators are encouraged to periodically check their web server log files for indications (such as malformed URLs) that their web applications have been compromised.
Web application firewalls and reverse proxy servers may be able to block some known attacks.

Workarounds for users

Following the recommendations in the Securing Your Web Browser document will mitigate many attacks that an attacker may launch after taking over a web application.

Systems Affected

Vendor	Status	Date Updated
PHPCow, LLC	Vulnerable		2008-11-19

References

https://support.phpcow.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=printable&kbarticleid=14
http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/securing_browser/
http://www.owasp.org/index.php/PHP_Top_5
http://www.g-brain.net/tutorials/local-file-inclusions.txt

Credit

This document was written by Ryan Giobbi.

Other Information

Date Public	11/19/2008
Date First Published	11/19/2008 10:20:56 AM
Date Last Updated	11/19/2008
CERT Advisory
CVE Name
Metric	1.35
Document Revision	26

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