CVE-2006-2811 in Ovidentia
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Cantico Ovidentia 5.8.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the babInstallPath parameter in (1) index.php, (2) topman.php, (3) approb.php, (4) vacadmb.php, (5) vacadma.php, (6) vacadm.php, (7) statart.php, (8) search.php, (9) posts.php, (10) options.php, (11) login.php, (12) frchart.php, (13) flbchart.php, (14) fileman.php, (15) faq.php, (16) event.php, (17) directory.php, (18) articles.php, (19) artedit.php, (20) calday.php, and additional unspecified PHP scripts. NOTE: the utilit.php vector is already covered by CVE-2005-1964.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2811 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting Cantico Ovidentia version 5.8.0, which falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and improper input validation issues. This vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input parameters, specifically the babInstallPath parameter that is processed across numerous PHP scripts within the application's codebase. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the application's behavior by injecting malicious URLs that are then executed as PHP code on the server, effectively creating a remote code execution vector.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application accepts the babInstallPath parameter without proper sanitization, enabling attackers to inject arbitrary URLs that point to malicious PHP scripts hosted on external servers. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-98, which specifically addresses "Improper Input Validation" and falls under the broader category of CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation." The vulnerability affects a wide range of PHP scripts including index.php, topman.php, approb.php, and numerous others as specified in the CVE description, indicating a systemic issue in the application's input handling mechanisms. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the application's legitimate file inclusion functionality to execute malicious code, making it difficult to detect through traditional security monitoring approaches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected server environment. Once exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary commands, upload additional malicious files, establish persistent backdoors, and potentially escalate privileges to gain deeper access to the network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, "Exploit Public-Facing Application," and can be used to establish a foothold for further lateral movement within the network. The widespread nature of the affected scripts means that exploitation can occur through multiple entry points, increasing the attack surface and making comprehensive patching challenging for system administrators.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. This includes validating input against a whitelist of allowed values and ensuring that URLs are properly encoded and validated before being processed. Organizations should also implement proper parameter validation and avoid using user-controllable variables in include or require statements. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be applied to limit the application's file system access and prevent unauthorized file operations. Security measures such as web application firewalls, input validation libraries, and regular security audits should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and other industry security standards to prevent remote code execution vulnerabilities.