CVE-2006-0722 in Magic Downloads
Summary
by MITRE
settings.php in Reamday Enterprises Magic Downloads 1.1.3, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to modify program behavior, potentially bypassing authentication controls, via modified (1) action, (2) passwd, (3) admin_password, (4) new_passwd, and (5) confirm_passwd variables, which are not initialized.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0722 resides within the settings.php file of Reamday Enterprises Magic Downloads version 1.1.3, presenting a critical security flaw that exploits improper input validation and variable handling. This issue specifically manifests when the PHP configuration parameter register_globals is enabled, creating an environment where attacker-controlled variables can directly influence application behavior. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper variable initialization for several critical parameters including action, passwd, admin_password, new_passwd, and confirm_passwd, which are processed without adequate sanitization or validation. According to CWE-1004, this represents a classic example of insecure default configuration where a dangerous PHP setting enables arbitrary variable overwrite conditions that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of HTTP request parameters that correspond to the uninitialized variables in the settings.php script. When register_globals is enabled, PHP automatically creates global variables from GET, POST, and cookie data, effectively allowing attackers to override internal script variables by simply including them in their request parameters. Attackers can modify the action parameter to execute different code paths within the application, potentially bypassing authentication mechanisms by manipulating the passwd, admin_password, new_passwd, and confirm_passwd variables to gain administrative access or modify critical system settings. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-502, which describes the insecure deserialization of untrusted data, as the application fails to properly validate and sanitize input parameters that are subsequently used in critical operations. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts usage, as successful exploitation could result in unauthorized administrative access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the capability to completely compromise the Magic Downloads application and potentially the underlying system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could modify administrative passwords, alter system configurations, or even execute arbitrary code depending on the application's architecture and the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require special privileges or complex attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous as it can be easily automated and exploited by threat actors with minimal technical expertise. The lack of proper input validation and variable initialization creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the application's control flow, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten, particularly the failure to sanitize user inputs and the improper handling of application state.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate exploitation vector and the underlying architectural issues that enabled the flaw. The primary recommendation involves disabling the register_globals PHP directive in the php.ini configuration file, which immediately eliminates the automatic creation of global variables from external input sources. Additionally, developers should implement proper variable initialization for all parameters used in critical application logic, ensuring that default values are set regardless of external input. The application should also employ input validation and sanitization techniques to prevent malicious parameter manipulation, including the use of whitelisting for action parameters and proper authentication checks before allowing password modifications. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. According to NIST Special Publication 800-125, proper input validation and secure configuration management are essential for preventing such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the need for regular security assessments and code reviews to identify and remediate similar issues in legacy applications, as this flaw could be present in other components of the Magic Downloads system or similar applications using outdated security practices.