CVE-2006-2818 in Informium
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in common-menu.php in Cameron McKay Informium 0.12.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the CONF[local_path] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2818 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting the Cameron McKay Informium content management system version 0.12.0. This issue resides within the common-menu.php script which processes user-supplied input through the CONF[local_path] parameter without adequate validation or sanitization. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-98 as improper input validation leading to arbitrary code execution, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise web applications. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code by manipulating the CONF[local_path] parameter with a remote URL, effectively bypassing local file access restrictions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the insecure handling of user input in the application's configuration management system. When the web application processes the CONF[local_path] parameter, it directly incorporates the provided value into file inclusion operations without proper validation of the input source. This creates an opportunity for attackers to specify external URLs that point to malicious PHP scripts hosted on remote servers. The vulnerability operates through the PHP include or require functions, which accept dynamic paths and execute code from remote locations when the input parameter is not properly validated. This flaw fundamentally violates the principle of least privilege and input sanitization that security best practices mandate for web application development.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data breach potential. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload and execute malicious payloads, establish persistent backdoors, or escalate privileges within the affected system. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access or authentication. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, representing a significant threat to web application security. Organizations running affected versions of Informium face potential exposure to automated exploitation attempts, as this flaw has been widely documented and exploited in the wild.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2818 require immediate implementation of multiple defensive measures to protect against exploitation. The primary recommendation involves updating to a patched version of the Cameron McKay Informium software where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization of the CONF[local_path] parameter. Administrators should also implement input validation measures that restrict the CONF[local_path] parameter to only accept local file paths within the application's intended directory structure. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can be configured to detect and block requests containing suspicious URL patterns in the parameter. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that the web application runs with minimal required permissions and that file inclusion operations are restricted to predefined safe locations. Organizations should conduct thorough security audits to identify other potential remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in their web applications and implement proper parameter validation across all user-supplied inputs to prevent similar issues from occurring.