CVE-2006-0502 in FarsiNews
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in loginout.php in FarsiNews 2.1 Beta 2 and earlier, with register_globals enabled, allows remote attackers to include arbitrary files via a URL in the cutepath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0502 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in FarsiNews 2.1 Beta 2 and earlier versions that directly impacts the authentication and session management components of the web application. This vulnerability specifically affects the loginout.php script which processes user authentication and logout operations, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise the application's security posture. The flaw manifests when the application operates with register_globals enabled, a dangerous configuration that automatically converts HTTP request variables into global PHP variables, creating an exploitable attack surface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the cutepath parameter processing mechanism. When an attacker submits a malicious URL through the cutepath parameter, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before incorporating it into file inclusion operations. This allows for arbitrary code execution through the include or require functions, as the application blindly accepts and processes the provided URL without adequate security controls. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and falls under the broader category of insecure direct object references that enable unauthorized access to system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially gaining access to sensitive user data, modifying application behavior, or even establishing persistent backdoors for future access. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal prerequisites beyond having register_globals enabled, a configuration that was commonly found in older PHP installations and often overlooked during security assessments. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" when considering the potential for command execution and lateral movement within compromised environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural security improvements. The most effective immediate fix involves disabling register_globals in the PHP configuration, which eliminates the primary attack vector by preventing automatic conversion of HTTP variables into global scope. Additionally, developers should implement proper input validation and sanitization techniques, including the use of allowlists for file inclusion parameters and strict validation of URL formats. The application should employ absolute path resolution for file operations and avoid dynamic inclusion of user-supplied parameters. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious URL patterns and establish regular security auditing procedures to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in legacy applications. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege when designing web applications that handle user input.