CVE-2006-2144 in DMCounter
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in kopf.php in DMCounter 0.9.2-b allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the rootdir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2144 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the DMCounter web application version 0.9.2-b, specifically within the kopf.php script. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and remote code execution threats that have been consistently documented in security frameworks such as CWE-88 and CWE-94. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input passed through the rootdir parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the rootdir parameter in the kopf.php file, which is designed to specify the root directory path for the application's operations. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it as the rootdir parameter, the vulnerable application incorporates this external resource into its execution flow without proper validation. This behavior directly enables arbitrary code execution capabilities, as the PHP interpreter processes and executes the code contained within the remote file. The vulnerability is classified as a remote file inclusion issue because the attacker can reference external resources from remote servers, bypassing local file access restrictions and potentially gaining full control over the affected web server.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations running the affected DMCounter version, as it allows attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the web server process. The consequences extend beyond simple code execution to include potential data breaches, server compromise, and complete system takeover. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive information, or deploy additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications exposed to public networks. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation through web application attacks.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2144 should focus on immediate patching of the DMCounter application to version 0.9.2-b or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent unauthorized file inclusion operations, specifically by validating all user-supplied input parameters against a strict whitelist of acceptable values. The implementation of secure coding practices, including the use of absolute paths instead of relative paths and disabling remote file inclusion features in PHP configurations, provides additional layers of protection. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other applications and ensure that proper input validation mechanisms are in place throughout the application stack, aligning with industry best practices outlined in standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.