CVE-2006-1252 in Light Weight Calendar
Summary
by MITRE
Eval injection vulnerability in cal.php in Light Weight Calendar (LWC) 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the date parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2024
The CVE-2006-1252 vulnerability represents a critical server-side code injection flaw discovered in the Light Weight Calendar version 1.0 web application. This vulnerability specifically affects the cal.php component and manifests through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The flaw exists in the way the application handles the date parameter when invoked through index.php, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server. The vulnerability is classified as an evaluation injection vulnerability, which means that attacker-controlled input is being evaluated as code rather than treated as data, fundamentally compromising the application's security posture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the date parameter in the index.php script, which then gets passed to cal.php for processing. When the calendar application fails to properly validate or escape the date input, it allows an attacker to inject malicious PHP code that gets executed within the context of the web server. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-94, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and represents one of the most dangerous classes of vulnerabilities in web applications. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication or privileged access, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited from anywhere on the internet.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-1252 is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over the affected web server. Successful exploitation could enable adversaries to execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive data, modify application behavior, or use the compromised server as a launchpad for further attacks against internal networks. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it without physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python," though in this case it applies to PHP code execution. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566, representing "Phishing with Malicious Attachments or Links," as attackers could potentially use this weakness to establish persistent access or deploy additional malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-1252 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that ensure all user-supplied data is properly escaped or validated before being processed by the application. This includes implementing parameterized queries or input filtering that prevents code injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting this specific vulnerability. The vulnerability's age and the lack of proper input validation in the LWC 1.0 application highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and regular vulnerability assessments. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, limiting file upload capabilities, and conducting thorough code reviews can help prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications. The vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, which specifically addresses injection vulnerabilities as one of the most critical web application security risks.