CVE-2006-1477 in PHP Live Helper
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Turnkey Web Tools PHP Live Helper 1.8 allow remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary PHP code via the abs_path parameter in (1) initiate.php, (2) waiting.php, (3) welcome.php, (4) admin/index.php, (5) javascript.php, (6) checkchat.php, and (7) blank.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1477 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the Turnkey Web Tools PHP Live Helper version 1.8 software. This vulnerability manifests as a direct consequence of insecure input handling mechanisms that fail to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into file paths. The affected applications operate by accepting a parameter named abs_path which is subsequently used to construct file inclusion directives, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary PHP code into the target system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically within the context of file inclusion operations. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate the application's file inclusion logic by supplying malicious input through the abs_path parameter, allowing them to reference external files that contain malicious PHP code. The vulnerability affects multiple entry points within the application including initiate.php, waiting.php, welcome.php, admin/index.php, javascript.php, checkchat.php, and blank.php, indicating a systemic flaw in the application's parameter handling architecture rather than isolated incidents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Successful exploitation enables remote code execution, allowing malicious actors to perform actions such as data exfiltration, system compromise, privilege escalation, and deployment of additional malware. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access or prior authentication. This characteristic makes it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged for mass exploitation campaigns and automated attack tools can easily target vulnerable installations.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically focusing on PHP script execution. The attack surface is significant given that the vulnerability affects core application functionality and multiple critical files within the system. Organizations running vulnerable versions of PHP Live Helper face substantial risk of complete system compromise, data loss, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it attractive to both skilled and less experienced attackers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the root cause through comprehensive input validation and sanitization. The primary remediation involves implementing strict parameter validation that prevents external URL inclusion and ensures all file paths are properly sanitized before processing. Organizations should implement proper input filtering mechanisms that reject any input containing protocol identifiers or external references. Additionally, the application should be configured to use absolute paths exclusively and disable remote file inclusion features. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. System administrators should also implement network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to patched versions of the software or migrating to more secure alternatives, as the vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's architecture that cannot be adequately protected against through defensive measures alone.