CVE-2006-2033 in CoreNews
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in Core CoreNews 2.0.1 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via the show parameter. NOTE: this is a different vector than CVE-2006-1212, although it might be the same primary issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2033 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the Core CoreNews 2.0.1 content management system, specifically targeting the show parameter in the application's code execution flow. This vulnerability operates under the broader category of insecure direct object references and remote code execution issues that have plagued web applications throughout the early 2000s. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the CoreNews application, allowing authenticated users to manipulate the show parameter to include and execute arbitrary files from remote locations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-98 weakness category, which specifically addresses the inclusion of files without proper validation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code on the target system. The security implications extend beyond simple code execution to encompass potential privilege escalation and system compromise, as the authenticated user can leverage this vulnerability to gain deeper access to the underlying server infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated user session within the CoreNews application, which significantly reduces the attack surface compared to completely unauthenticated exploits. However, the impact remains severe as the authenticated user can manipulate the show parameter to reference remote files, effectively bypassing local file access restrictions and enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's operational impact is further amplified by the fact that it operates through legitimate application pathways, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems. Attackers can construct malicious URLs that include the show parameter with crafted file references, potentially pointing to remote servers hosting malicious PHP scripts. This mechanism aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, specifically targeting PHP-based applications. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into file inclusion operations without proper sanitization or validation against a whitelist of acceptable values.
The exploitation process involves an authenticated user navigating to a vulnerable page where the show parameter is processed without adequate security controls, allowing the inclusion of remote files that may contain malicious payloads. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged to establish persistent access to the compromised system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or further network infiltration. The vulnerability's classification as a remote file inclusion issue places it within the broader context of web application security flaws that have been extensively documented and studied within the cybersecurity community. Organizations running CoreNews 2.0.1 or earlier versions face significant risk of unauthorized code execution, which can result in complete system compromise, data loss, and potential regulatory violations. The vulnerability's presence in widely used content management systems underscores the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices in web application development. This flaw represents a classic example of how insufficient parameter validation can lead to severe security consequences, particularly in applications that handle user input for dynamic file operations. The remediation approach requires immediate patching of the CoreNews application to version 2.0.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent unauthorized file inclusion operations. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, network segmentation, and regular security audits can help mitigate the risk of exploitation in environments where patching may not be immediately feasible.