CVE-2006-0206 in Light Weight Calendar
Summary
by MITRE
Eval injection vulnerability in Light Weight Calendar (LWC) 1.0 (20040909) and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the date parameter in cal.php, which is included by index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2017
The CVE-2006-0206 vulnerability represents a critical server-side code injection flaw discovered in the Light Weight Calendar (LWC) version 1.0 and earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically affects the cal.php script which is included by the index.php file, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected server. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly the date parameter that is processed through the calendar functionality. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious PHP code that gets executed within the context of the web server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of code injection attacks and is classified as CWE-94 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration taxonomy, which specifically addresses the execution of arbitrary code due to inadequate input validation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the date parameter in the cal.php script to include malicious PHP code. Since the calendar component fails to properly sanitize or validate the date input before processing, the injected code gets executed as part of the normal calendar rendering process. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages a legitimate include mechanism within the application, making the exploitation more stealthy and harder to detect through standard security monitoring. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution (RCE) threat, which means attackers can execute code on the target system without requiring local access or authentication. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the exploitation of remote services through injection attacks, and T1059, which covers the execution of commands through various scripting languages including PHP.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-0206 is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over the affected web server. Successful exploitation can result in data theft, system compromise, and the ability to establish persistent access through backdoor creation or shell access. The vulnerability affects web applications running on PHP environments and can be exploited by attackers using simple HTTP requests to the vulnerable calendar component. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive data, potential service disruption, and compliance violations if the calendar component contains business-critical information. The vulnerability also poses risks to the broader network infrastructure, as compromised servers can serve as launching points for lateral movement and further attacks. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability existed in legacy software from 2004, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper input validation practices. The risk is compounded by the fact that many organizations may still be running outdated calendar applications, making them susceptible to exploitation by threat actors who target known vulnerabilities in legacy systems. Mitigation efforts should focus on immediate patching of the affected LWC versions, implementation of proper input validation mechanisms, and deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious injection attempts.