CVE-2006-2256 in EQdkp
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in includes/dbal.php in EQdkp 1.3.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the eqdkp_root_path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2256 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting EQdkp version 1.3.0 and earlier. This issue resides within the includes/dbal.php file of the EQdkp web application, which is a popular gaming guild management system. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, specifically the eqdkp_root_path parameter that is used to determine the application's root directory path. When an attacker can manipulate this parameter through a URL, they can effectively inject malicious PHP code into the application's execution flow, bypassing normal security boundaries.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-98, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and falls under the broader category of CWE-88, "Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection')." The flaw allows for remote code execution through a simple parameter manipulation attack, where attackers can pass malicious URLs through the eqdkp_root_path parameter to include and execute arbitrary PHP scripts hosted on remote servers. The vulnerability exists because the application directly incorporates user input into file inclusion operations without proper validation or sanitization, creating an environment where attacker-controlled content can be executed within the web application's context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for affected systems. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete control over the web server hosting the EQdkp application, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, and further lateral movement within the network. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require local access or authentication to the system, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Additionally, the vulnerability affects not just the immediate application but can potentially compromise the entire hosting environment, as the executed code runs with the privileges of the web server process, which often has extensive system access rights.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the EQdkp application to version 1.3.1 or later, where the issue has been resolved through proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that reject any non-local file paths or URLs containing suspicious patterns, particularly those that might indicate remote inclusion attempts. Network-level defenses should include web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious parameter values, while application-level protections should enforce strict path validation and use whitelisting approaches for all file inclusion operations. The remediation process must also involve comprehensive security audits of all application components to identify similar vulnerabilities, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security issues within the application architecture. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell," as it represents a classic public-facing application exploit that leads to command execution capabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege for web server accounts and regular security scanning of their web applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining undetected in the future.