CVE-2006-2645 in Plume
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in manager/frontinc/prepend.php for Plume 1.0.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a URL in the _PX_config[manager_path] parameter. NOTE: this is a different executable and affected version than CVE-2006-0725.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2645 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Plume 1.0.3 content management system, specifically within the manager/frontinc/prepend.php file. This issue falls under the category of insecure direct object references and remote code execution vulnerabilities, with the vulnerability being classified as CWE-88 due to improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input passed through the _PX_config[manager_path] parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that are then included and executed by the PHP interpreter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the PHP include() or require() functions without proper input validation, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious code on the target server. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL through the _PX_config[manager_path] parameter, the application processes this input without adequate sanitization, leading to the inclusion of external resources that can contain malicious PHP code. This vulnerability specifically affects the front-end include mechanism that is designed to prepend configuration and initialization code to the manager interface, making it a prime target for exploitation. The attack vector demonstrates a classic example of how insecure parameter handling can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data theft, privilege escalation, and the establishment of persistent backdoors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload malicious files, establish reverse shells, or deploy additional malware payloads. The vulnerability affects the entire Plume 1.0.3 installation, potentially compromising all content management functionalities and making the system an effective entry point for broader network attacks. This vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, which targets vulnerabilities in web applications to gain initial access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2645 involve multiple layers of security controls to prevent exploitation of the remote file inclusion vulnerability. The primary recommendation is to implement strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in include or require statements. Developers should utilize whitelisting approaches for configuration parameters and avoid dynamic inclusion of external resources. Additionally, the application should be upgraded to a patched version of Plume that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the original version is no longer supported. Network-level mitigations include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious URL patterns in the _PX_config[manager_path] parameter and restricting access to administrative interfaces through network segmentation. The implementation of PHP's open_basedir directive and disabling of remote file inclusion features in php.ini configuration can provide additional protection layers against such attacks. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file inclusion patterns and unauthorized access attempts to the manager interface.