> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://playbook.sidthoviti.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://playbook.sidthoviti.com/devsecops/secure-coding/code-review-examples/rfi.md).

# RFI

### PHP Example

#### Vulnerable Code:

```php
phpCopy<?php
$template = $_GET['template'];
include($template);
?>
```

#### Reason for Vulnerability:

This code allows an attacker to include files from remote servers, potentially executing malicious code.

#### Fixed Code:

```php
phpCopy<?php
$allowed_templates = ['header', 'footer', 'sidebar'];
$template = $_GET['template'];

if (!in_array($template, $allowed_templates)) {
    die('Invalid template');
}

include __DIR__ . '/templates/' . $template . '.php';
?>
```

#### Reason for Fix:

The fixed code uses a whitelist of allowed templates and includes files from a specific local directory, preventing RFI.

***

**Example 1: PHP**

**Vulnerable Code:**

```php
phpCopy code<?php
include($_GET['url']);
?>
```

**Reason for vulnerability:** User input is directly included, allowing RFI.

**Fixed Code:**

```php
phpCopy code<?php
$url = filter_var($_GET['url'], FILTER_VALIDATE_URL);
if ($url && parse_url($url, PHP_URL_HOST) == 'trusted.com') {
    include($url);
} else {
    die('Invalid URL');
}
?>
```

**Reason for fix:** Validate and restrict URLs to trusted domains.

**Example 2: Python**

**Vulnerable Code:**

```python
pythonCopy code@app.route('/fetch')
def fetch():
    url = request.args.get('url')
    response = requests.get(url)
    return response.text
```

**Reason for vulnerability:** User input is directly used in the URL, allowing RFI.

**Fixed Code:**

```python
pythonCopy code@app.route('/fetch')
def fetch():
    url = request.args.get('url')
    if not is_valid_url(url):
        abort(400)
    response = requests.get(url)
    return response.text
```

**Reason for fix:** Validate and restrict URLs to trusted domains.


---

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