CVE-2006-1346 in gCards
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in inc/setLang.php in Greg Neustaetter gCards 1.45 and earlier allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via directory traversal sequences in a lang[*][file] parameter, as demonstrated by injecting PHP sequences into an Apache access_log file, which is then included by index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-1346 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the gCards 1.45 content management system developed by Greg Neustaetter. This vulnerability exists in the inc/setLang.php component where user-supplied input is improperly validated and processed without adequate sanitization measures. The flaw specifically manifests when the application accepts a lang[*][file] parameter that contains directory traversal sequences, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms and access arbitrary local files on the server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a sophisticated attack pattern that leverages the application's file inclusion functionality. Attackers can inject PHP code sequences into server log files such as Apache's access_log, which are subsequently included and executed by the vulnerable index.php script. This creates a server-side include (SSI) attack vector where the directory traversal vulnerability enables access to sensitive files beyond the intended application scope. The vulnerability operates under CWE-22, which classifies directory traversal issues as weaknesses in input validation that allow attackers to access files outside of designated directories through manipulation of file paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure. An attacker who successfully exploits this weakness can execute arbitrary code on the target server, potentially gaining complete control over the web application environment. This includes access to database credentials, user authentication details, and other sensitive system information stored within the application's file structure. The attack chain demonstrates how seemingly innocuous input parameters can be weaponized to create persistent backdoors and maintain long-term access to compromised systems. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003, which covers server-side include attacks, and T1213.002, addressing data from information repositories.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures within the application code. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects any input containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, while also employing proper file path normalization techniques. Organizations should also implement the principle of least privilege by restricting file inclusion operations to predefined, whitelisted files only. Additionally, the application should avoid including files based on user-supplied parameters entirely, instead using static configuration files or database-driven language selection mechanisms. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components, while also ensuring proper log file permissions and access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized modification of system log files.