CVE-2006-2666 in V-Webmail
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in includes/mailaccess/pop3.php in V-Webmail 1.5 through 1.6.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the CONFIG[pear_dir] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2666 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the V-Webmail email system version 1.5 through 1.6.4. This issue resides in the pop3.php file located within the includes/mailaccess directory structure of the application. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied data from being directly incorporated into file inclusion operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the CONFIG[pear_dir] parameter to inject malicious URLs that point to remote servers containing attacker-controlled PHP code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-88, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression. The flaw occurs because the application directly uses user-provided input without adequate validation or sanitization before passing it to PHP's include or require functions. When a remote attacker crafts a malicious request containing a URL in the CONFIG[pear_dir] parameter, the vulnerable application processes this input and attempts to include the remote file, thereby executing arbitrary PHP code on the target server. This constitutes a severe privilege escalation vulnerability that can lead to complete system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using affected V-Webmail installations. The remote code execution capability allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to the web server, potentially leading to data breaches, system infiltration, and further lateral movement within network environments. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it a prime target for automated attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute commands through PHP code injection. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential persistence mechanisms and data exfiltration capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2666 should prioritize immediate patching of affected V-Webmail versions, as this vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures that sanitize all user-supplied parameters before processing, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth by blocking suspicious requests containing potentially malicious URLs in the CONFIG[pear_dir] parameter. Security configurations should disable remote file inclusion features entirely and enforce local file inclusion only. Regular security assessments and code reviews should focus on identifying similar patterns in other applications that might be susceptible to the same class of vulnerability, as this represents a common weakness in PHP applications that aligns with CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual file inclusion patterns can help detect exploitation attempts and provide early warning of potential compromise.