CVE-2006-2487 in ScozNews
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in ScozNews 1.2.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the CONFIG[main_path] parameter in (1) functions.php, (2) template.php, (3) news.php, (4) help.php, (5) mail.php, (6) Admin/admin_cats.php, (8) Admin/admin_edit.php, (9) Admin/admin_import.php, and (10) Admin/admin_templates.php. NOTE: this might be resultant from a variable overwrite issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2487 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting ScoZNews version 1.2.1 and earlier, demonstrating a classic pattern of insecure parameter handling that has been consistently identified as a high-risk security issue across web applications. This vulnerability resides in the application's core configuration handling mechanism where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into file inclusion operations without proper sanitization or validation. The affected parameters are found across multiple core files including functions.php, template.php, news.php, and various administrative scripts, indicating a systemic flaw in the application's architecture rather than isolated incidents. The vulnerability stems from improper variable handling where the CONFIG[main_path] parameter accepts external input that gets directly processed in include or require statements, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and more broadly with CWE-94, which covers the execution of arbitrary code or commands. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious URLs that are passed through the CONFIG[main_path] parameter, potentially allowing them to include remote files from attacker-controlled servers. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise, as the included files can contain malicious payloads that execute with the privileges of the web server process. This vulnerability particularly affects the operational security posture of affected systems by providing an attack surface that enables remote code execution, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple core files suggests that exploitation can occur across various application functionalities, increasing the attack surface and potential damage scope.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code remotely without requiring authentication or specific user interaction. The variable overwrite issue mentioned in the description indicates that the vulnerability may be compounded by improper variable scoping or assignment, making it even more dangerous as it could potentially bypass security measures that rely on proper variable handling. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications and T1059 for executing commands through the web server. Organizations running affected versions of ScoZNews face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential use as a foothold for further attacks within their network infrastructure. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Additionally, the vulnerability affects administrative functions, which could lead to complete system takeover and unauthorized access to sensitive administrative features.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and code review processes to address the root cause of the variable overwrite issue. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to ScoZNews versions that have addressed this vulnerability, as the developers would have implemented proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should also implement input validation controls that prevent malicious URLs from being processed in include statements, utilizing techniques such as allowlisting of valid paths or strict validation of URL formats. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar patterns in other applications. System administrators should also consider implementing proper access controls and privilege separation to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, ensuring that even if an attacker gains code execution capabilities, they cannot easily escalate privileges or access sensitive system resources.