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A  U  S  C  E  R  T                                           A  L  E  R  T

                       AL-2005.016 -- AUSCERT ALERT
               XML-RPC PHP flaw allows remote code execution
                                1 July 2005

===========================================================================

        AusCERT Alert Summary
        ---------------------

Product:           XML-RPC for PHP library 1.1 and prior
                   PEAR XML_RPC library 1.3.0 and prior
                   XOOPS 2.0.11 and prior
                   Drupal 4.6.1 and prior
                   Serendipity 0.8.1 and prior
                   phpMyFAQ 1.5 and prior
                   PostNuke .750 and prior
                   WordPress 1.5.1.2 and prior
                   Other PHP applications using either XML-RPC library above
Impact:            Execute Arbitrary Code/Commands
Access:            Remote/Unauthenticated

OVERVIEW:

	Confirmed flaws exist in two XML-RPC libraries for PHP allowing an 
	attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code.  These XML-RPC libraries
	are used by many popular PHP applications.

IMPACT:

	A web server running an affected PHP application may be remotely
	compromised.

	The following list of libraries are confirmed to be vulnerable:

	- XML-RPC for PHP library 1.1 and prior
	- PEAR XML_RPC library 1.3.0 and prior

	The following applications using these libraries are confirmed to be
	vulnerable at the time of writing:

	- XOOPS 2.0.11 and prior
	- Drupal 4.6.1 and prior
	- Serendipity 0.8.1 and prior
	- phpMyFAQ 1.5 and prior
	- PostNuke .750 and prior
	- WordPress 1.5.1.2 and prior

	Any PHP applications using either XML-RPC library mentioned may be 
	similarly vulnerable.

	As with other vulnerabilities in web applications, exploitation may be
	trivial and could result in compromise of a web server.  Potential 
	impacts to a compromised web server could include defacement, data 
	theft, or the installation of malware such as backdoors or botnet
	clients.

	This issue was first reported by GulfTech Security Research [1].

MITIGATION:

	Patch any PHP applications accordingly or disable functionality relying
	on either XML-RPC library.

	Listed below are vendor statements for the libraries and applications 
	confirmed vulnerable at the time of writing, detailing temporary
	mitigations and version upgrades:
	
	- XML-RPC for PHP:
	  http://phpxmlrpc.sourceforge.net/

	- PEAR XML_RPC library:
	  http://pear.php.net/package/XML_RPC/download

	- XOOPS
	  http://www.xoops.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2383

	- Drupal
	  http://lists.drupal.org/archives/newsletter/2005-06/msg00001.html

	- Serendipity
	  http://blog.s9y.org/archives/36-CRITICAL-BUGFIX-RELEASE-Serendipity-0.8.2.html

	- phpMyFAQ
	  http://www.phpmyfaq.de/advisory_2005-06-29.php

	- PostNuke
	  http://news.postnuke.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2699

	- WordPress
	  http://wordpress.org/development/2005/06/wordpress-1513/

	AusCERT recommends that web server administrators evaluate their own
	exposure to this vulnerability by consulting the vendors of any 
	third-party PHP software used.  In addition, any custom applications
	should be audited to establish whether either of the listed XML-RPC 
	libraries are used.

REFERENCES:

	[1] http://www.gulftech.org/?node=research&article_id=00086-06292005


AusCERT has made every effort to ensure that the information contained
in this document is accurate.  However, the decision to use the information
described is the responsibility of each user or organisation. The decision to
follow or act on information or advice contained in this security bulletin is
the responsibility of each user or organisation, and should be considered in
accordance with your organisation's site policies and procedures. AusCERT
takes no responsibility for consequences which may arise from following or
acting on information or advice contained in this security bulletin.

If you believe that your computer system has been compromised or attacked in 
any way, we encourage you to let us know by completing the secure National IT 
Incident Reporting Form at:

        http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=3192

===========================================================================
Australian Computer Emergency Response Team
The University of Queensland
Brisbane
Qld 4072

Internet Email: auscert@auscert.org.au
Facsimile:      (07) 3365 7031
Telephone:      (07) 3365 4417 (International: +61 7 3365 4417)
                AusCERT personnel answer during Queensland business hours
                which are GMT+10:00 (AEST).
                On call after hours for member emergencies only.
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