CVE-2006-1793 in runCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in runCMS 1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via the bbPath[path] parameter to (1) class.forumposts.php and (2) forumpollrenderer.php. NOTE: this issue is closely related to CVE-2006-0659.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1793 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting runCMS version 1.2 and earlier systems. This security weakness manifests through the bbPath[path] parameter in two specific script files: class.forumposts.php and forumpollrenderer.php. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system by manipulating the path parameter, effectively bypassing normal access controls and potentially exposing sensitive data. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input from the bbPath[path] parameter is directly incorporated into file system operations without proper validation or sanitization. Attackers can craft malicious input sequences such as ../../etc/passwd or similar path manipulation techniques to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access files that should remain protected. The impact extends beyond simple file reading capabilities, as successful exploitation could potentially lead to information disclosure, system compromise, or further attack vectors within the application's environment.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations running affected runCMS installations, as it allows attackers to potentially access configuration files, database credentials, user information, and other sensitive data stored on the server. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects core forum functionality components, making it a prime target for threat actors seeking to gather intelligence or establish persistent access to the affected systems. The relationship to CVE-2006-0659 indicates this vulnerability is part of a broader class of path traversal issues affecting the same software ecosystem, suggesting potential systemic weaknesses in the application's input handling mechanisms.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures, enforcing strict path validation that prevents directory traversal sequences, and applying the latest security patches provided by runCMS developers. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious path traversal attempts, as well as conducting thorough security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1083 technique for discovering files and directories, highlighting the reconnaissance phase of potential attacks that could leverage this weakness for further exploitation.