CVE-2006-0659 in RunCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file include vulnerabilities in RunCMS 1.2 and earlier, with register_globals and allow_url_fopen enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the bbPath[path] parameter in (1) class.forumposts.php and (2) forumpollrenderer.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0659 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting RunCMS versions 1.2 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insecure handling of user-supplied parameters within the application's forum components. The flaw specifically manifests in two distinct files class.forumposts.php and forumpollrenderer.php where the bbPath[path] parameter is processed without adequate sanitization. When the web server configuration has register_globals enabled and allow_url_fopen set to true, attackers can exploit this vulnerability to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-94, which describes improper control of generation of code, specifically manifesting as code injection vulnerabilities. The vulnerability operates by leveraging PHP's remote file inclusion functionality, where the application blindly includes user-provided paths without proper validation. This creates an environment where attackers can supply malicious URLs as the path parameter, causing the PHP interpreter to fetch and execute remote code. The combination of register_globals enabling and allow_url_fopen being active transforms what should be a simple parameter processing issue into a full remote code execution vector.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to affected systems as it allows remote attackers to gain complete control over the web server running RunCMS. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential data theft, system compromise, and lateral movement within the network. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive information, or use the compromised server as a launching point for attacks against other systems. The vulnerability affects not just the web application itself but potentially the entire hosting environment, as the executed code runs with the privileges of the web server process.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploitation of remote services, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreter. The attack surface is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal prerequisites beyond the vulnerable configuration settings, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools. Organizations running RunCMS versions 1.2 or earlier with the specified PHP configuration settings face immediate risk of compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangerous combination of insecure PHP configurations that can transform simple parameter handling into catastrophic security breaches. Mitigation efforts should focus on upgrading to patched versions of RunCMS, disabling vulnerable PHP configuration options, and implementing proper input validation mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other applications.
The vulnerability also highlights the broader security implications of legacy web applications and the importance of maintaining up-to-date software. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other applications and ensure that PHP security settings are properly configured to prevent unauthorized remote file inclusion attacks. The presence of such vulnerabilities in widely used content management systems underscores the need for robust security practices throughout the software development lifecycle and continuous monitoring for potential security gaps.