CVE-2006-2686 in ActionApps
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in ActionApps 2.8.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the GLOBALS[AA_INC_PATH] parameter in (1) cached.php3, (2) cron.php3, (3) discussion.php3, (4) filldisc.php3, (5) filler.php3, (6) fillform.php3, (7) go.php3, (8) hiercons.php3, (9) jsview.php3, (10) live_checkbox.php3, (11) offline.php3, (12) post2shtml.php3, (13) search.php3, (14) slice.php3, (15) sql_update.php3, (16) view.php3, (17) multiple files in the (18) admin/ folder, (19) includes folder, and (20) modules/ folder.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2686 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in ActionApps version 2.8.1 that enables attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on vulnerable systems. This issue stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the application's handling of the GLOBALS[AA_INC_PATH] parameter across multiple script files throughout the application's codebase. The vulnerability affects a comprehensive list of 20 specific files including cached.php3, cron.php3, and various other PHP scripts, as well as files within the admin/, includes/, and modules/ directories, making it particularly dangerous as it spans multiple application components. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious URLs that are then included and executed as PHP code, effectively providing attackers with complete control over the affected server.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command, and CWE-94, which covers the execution of arbitrary code through the inclusion of external code. The attack vector operates through the manipulation of the GLOBALS[AA_INC_PATH] parameter, which is processed without proper validation, allowing attackers to specify external URLs that get included via PHP's include or require functions. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to full system compromise, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload backdoors, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised server for further attacks. This vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and the dangerous practice of directly incorporating user-supplied data into include statements without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-2686 is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete administrative control over affected systems. The vulnerability's widespread nature across 20 different files means that exploitation opportunities are abundant, increasing the likelihood of successful compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate database contents, modify application behavior, or use the compromised server as a launch point for attacks against other systems. The vulnerability's presence in administrative and core application files particularly increases risk, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system takeover and data breaches. Organizations using ActionApps 2.8.1 are at significant risk of unauthorized access, data loss, and potential use as a staging ground for broader network attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in include statements. Organizations should disable remote file inclusion functionality and ensure that all include paths are hardcoded and validated rather than accepting user input. The recommended approach includes implementing a whitelist of allowed include paths, using absolute paths instead of relative or user-supplied paths, and applying proper output encoding when handling user input. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, disabling dangerous PHP functions like allow_url_include, and conducting regular security audits of application code are essential measures. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) techniques, as it enables attackers to exploit application weaknesses and execute arbitrary code remotely. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious include requests and consider applying security patches or migrating to more secure application versions immediately.