CVE-2006-1201 in phpBannerExchange
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in resetpw.php in eschew.net phpBannerExchange 2.0 and earlier, and other versions before 2.0 Update 5, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the email parameter during a "Recover password" operation (recoverpw.php).
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-1201 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the phpBannerExchange web application suite developed by eschew.net. This security weakness specifically affects versions 2.0 and earlier, as well as prior releases before the 2.0 Update 5 release, creating a significant attack surface that could enable unauthorized access to sensitive system files. The vulnerability manifests during the password recovery process when users attempt to recover their credentials through the recoverpw.php script, which improperly handles user input containing directory traversal sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the email parameter within the resetpw.php script, where attackers can inject .. (dot dot) sequences to navigate upward through the directory structure. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's file handling mechanisms, allowing malicious users to bypass normal access controls and potentially read arbitrary files from the server filesystem. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates during a legitimate user operation, making it harder to detect and potentially allowing attackers to escalate their privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it could potentially expose sensitive information including configuration files, database connection details, user credentials, and application source code. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gain insights into the application architecture, potentially identifying additional vulnerabilities or extracting credentials that could be used for further attacks. The vulnerability's presence in the password recovery functionality makes it particularly attractive to threat actors, as it provides a legitimate-looking entry point that could bypass typical security monitoring systems. This attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which involves data from information repositories, specifically targeting credential access through web application vulnerabilities.
Organizations running affected versions of phpBannerExchange should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied data, particularly during authentication and recovery operations. The recommended approach involves implementing strict path validation that prevents directory traversal sequences from being processed, ensuring that all file operations occur within designated safe directories. Additionally, the application should be updated to version 2.0 Update 5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in password recovery requests, and access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly legitimate user operations can become attack vectors when proper security measures are not implemented.