CVE-2006-2285 in Open Source Learning And Knowledge Management Tool
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in authldap.php in Dokeos 1.6.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the includePath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2285 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Dokeos learning management system version 1.6.4. This vulnerability specifically affects the authldap.php component and demonstrates a classic insecure direct object reference issue that has been documented in numerous security frameworks including CWE-88 and CWE-94. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input passed through the includePath parameter, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that are subsequently included and executed as PHP code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of user-supplied input within the authentication LDAP module. When a remote attacker provides a malicious URL through the includePath parameter, the system processes this input without adequate validation, allowing the inclusion of external PHP files that can contain malicious code. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of remote file inclusion to execute arbitrary code on a target system. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary commands on the server hosting the Dokeos application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with remote code execution capabilities on the affected system. Once exploited, an attacker can gain full control over the server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations using Dokeos 1.6.4 and similar versions, making it particularly dangerous in educational environments where these systems often contain sensitive student and institutional data. The attack vector is straightforward and does not require authentication, making it especially attractive to threat actors seeking to exploit vulnerable systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2285 should focus on immediate patching of the Dokeos application to version 1.6.5 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent untrusted data from being processed as part of file inclusion operations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file inclusion patterns and unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other security standards, emphasizing that all user-provided data must be properly validated before being used in dynamic code execution contexts.