Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This vulnerability lets an unauthenticated attacker potentially make a vulnerable PHP site load attacker-controlled code. The published condition is specific: exploitation requires Simple College Website v1.0 with PHP allow_url_include set to On. If that configuration exists on an internet-facing deployment, business impact can be full site compromise.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for any internet-facing deployment because the stated impact is arbitrary code execution with no authentication required. If the application is only a lab or unused sample, priority depends on whether it is reachable and configured with allow_url_include enabled.
Technical view
CVE-2022-40089 is a CWE-98 remote file inclusion issue in Simple College Website v1.0. The CVE description says arbitrary code execution is possible via a crafted PHP file when allow_url_include is On. CVSS 3.1 is 9.8, network exploitable, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in public PHP deployments of Simple College Website v1.0 or copied SourceCodester-derived code. The CVE affected metadata lists vendor and product as n/a, so asset matching may require filename, codebase, or deployment review rather than CPE matching.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. Public references include the downloadable project and a vulnerability write-up. Treat internet-facing systems as high urgency, but do not assume active exploitation without additional evidence.
Researcher notes
Evidence is enough to classify the issue as critical RFI under the stated configuration, but product metadata is sparse. The bundle does not provide a patch identifier, affected file path, or confirmed exploitation status. Validation should focus on configuration, code provenance, and exposure.
Mitigation direction
- Disable PHP allow_url_include where this application runs.
- Check project or vendor guidance for any fixed release or code-level remediation.
- Remove or restrict internet exposure until configuration and code are verified.
- Review application include logic for externally controlled remote file paths.
- Retire unmaintained SourceCodester sample code from production environments.
Validation and detection
- Inventory systems for Simple College Website v1.0 and derived code copies.
- Confirm PHP allow_url_include is Off in runtime configuration.
- Review web logs for suspicious remote file inclusion indicators.
- Inspect PHP include paths for user-controlled input.
- Verify no public route can influence included file locations.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-98: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2022-40089 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.sourcecodester.com/php/14548/simple-college-website-using-htmlphpmysqli-source-code.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.sourcecodester.com/sites/default/files/download/oretnom23/simple-college-website.zipCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://gowthamaraj-rajendran.medium.com/simple-college-website-1-0-rfi-cff8d827572eCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion')
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.