CVE-2005-4646 in Pearl Forums
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in index.php in PEARLINGER Pearl Forums 2.4 allows remote attackers to include arbitrary files via the mode parameter, possibly due to a directory traversal vulnerability. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4646 affects PEARLINGER Pearl Forums version 2.4 and resides within the index.php file. This represents a classic arbitrary file inclusion vulnerability that could potentially allow remote attackers to execute malicious code or access sensitive system files. The flaw is specifically triggered through the mode parameter, which suggests that the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before using it in file operations. Such vulnerabilities typically arise when applications dynamically construct file paths or include files based on user-provided parameters without adequate security controls. The directory traversal aspect indicates that attackers might be able to manipulate the file inclusion mechanism to access files outside the intended directory structure, potentially leading to information disclosure or system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with common web application attack patterns documented in the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) catalog under CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. This weakness enables attackers to traverse the file system and access files that should remain protected. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting languages such as PHP, where adversaries can leverage file inclusion vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability details makes it particularly concerning as it suggests that the exact attack vector or impact may not be fully understood, potentially leaving organizations without complete information to assess risk. This type of vulnerability often stems from insufficient input validation and lack of proper access controls, where the application trusts user input without proper sanitization or authorization checks.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4646 could be severe for organizations running affected versions of PEARLINGER Pearl Forums. Remote attackers could potentially gain access to sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other system files that are not intended to be publicly accessible. The vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges, establish persistent backdoors, or even take complete control of the affected system. Additionally, the arbitrary file inclusion could be used to execute malicious PHP code, allowing for remote command execution and further compromise of the server environment. Organizations utilizing this forum software would face significant security risks including data breaches, system infiltration, and potential compliance violations, particularly if the affected systems contain sensitive or regulated information. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system and can potentially launch attacks from anywhere on the internet.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to the latest version of PEARLINGER Pearl Forums where this vulnerability has been addressed. Until patches are available, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures is crucial, particularly for the mode parameter in index.php. This includes implementing strict parameter validation, using allowlists for acceptable values, and ensuring that user input cannot manipulate file paths. Access controls should be enforced to prevent unauthorized file access, and the principle of least privilege should be applied to the web application's file permissions. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and attempts to include external files. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities and implement comprehensive security testing practices including dynamic and static code analysis to prevent future occurrences of such flaws.