CVE-2006-2283 in phpRaid
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in SpiffyJr phpRaid 2.9.5 through 3.0.b3 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the phpbb_root_path parameter in (1) auth.php and (2) auth_phpbb when the phpBB portal is enabled, and via a URL in the smf_root_path parameter in (3) auth.php and (4) auth_SMF when the SMF portal is enabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2283 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting SpiffyJr phpRaid versions 2.9.5 through 3.0.b3. This security weakness stems from improper input validation within the authentication modules that handle external portal integrations. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication scripts auth.php, auth_phpbb, and auth_SMF which are designed to integrate with phpBB and SMF forums respectively. When these portal integrations are enabled, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary PHP code through carefully crafted URLs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the insecure handling of path parameters within the authentication framework. Attackers can exploit the phpbb_root_path parameter in auth.php and auth_phpbb files, as well as the smf_root_path parameter in auth.php and auth_SMF files, by supplying malicious URLs that point to remote servers containing attacker-controlled PHP code. This represents a classic remote file inclusion vulnerability that aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command or query. The flaw operates by allowing an attacker to manipulate the application's include or require statements, causing the web server to execute malicious code from external sources rather than local files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides remote attackers with complete control over the affected web server. Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability affects installations that have phpBB or SMF portal integration enabled, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on these popular forum platforms. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries target web applications to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code.
The attack surface is expanded by the fact that these vulnerabilities exist in widely used open source applications, making them attractive targets for automated exploitation tools. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can be chained with other attacks to escalate privileges or establish persistent access. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling portal integration modules when not required, implementing proper input validation, and applying the latest security patches provided by the software vendors. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and strict input filtering can help prevent exploitation attempts by blocking malicious URL patterns in the affected parameters.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security. The flaw underscores the need for secure coding practices that prevent dynamic code execution based on user input, particularly in authentication and include mechanisms. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities and implement comprehensive security controls including regular patch management, input sanitization, and runtime protection mechanisms to prevent such exploitation scenarios.