CVE-2006-2841 in Associated Cms
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in AssoCIateD (aka ACID) CMS 1.1.3 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the root_path parameter to (1) menu.php, (2) profile.php, (3) users.php, (4) cache_mngt.php, and (5) gallery_functions.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The CVE-2006-2841 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the AssoCIateD (ACID) Content Management System version 1.1.3, exposing multiple attack vectors that enable remote code execution. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, specifically targeting the application's handling of user-supplied parameters that are directly incorporated into file inclusion operations. The flaw exists in multiple core files including menu.php, profile.php, users.php, cache_mngt.php, and gallery_functions.php, all of which accept a root_path parameter that is not properly sanitized before being used in include or require statements. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command, and CWE-94, which addresses execution of arbitrary code due to improper input validation. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe attack surface that allows malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server by manipulating the root_path parameter with malicious URLs. Attackers can leverage this weakness to upload backdoors, escalate privileges, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the compromised system, effectively compromising the entire web application infrastructure. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution as it can lead to full system compromise and data breaches, particularly given that the affected files are core components of the CMS functionality.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2006-2841 requires attackers to craft malicious URLs that include PHP code within the root_path parameter, which is then processed by the vulnerable include statements. This type of vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK framework as T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, specifically targeting the remote code execution capability through web application vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's persistence in the application's core functionality makes it particularly dangerous, as it affects multiple entry points that are commonly accessed during normal CMS operations. The attack pattern typically involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable endpoints, where the parameter values are directly interpolated into include directives without proper sanitization or validation. This flaw demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation and proper parameter handling, which are critical security controls recommended by OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. The vulnerability's exploitation is straightforward and does not require sophisticated techniques, making it a preferred target for automated attacks and script kiddies seeking to compromise web applications.
Organizations affected by CVE-2006-2841 should implement immediate mitigations including patching the application to the latest supported version, which would address the root cause of the vulnerability. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering malicious requests containing suspicious URL patterns or file inclusion attempts. Input validation should be implemented at multiple layers to ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly sanitized before being processed by the application. The remediation process should include disabling remote file inclusion capabilities within the application configuration and implementing strict parameter validation for all file inclusion operations. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected applications or systems that might be using similar code patterns. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be enhanced to detect suspicious file inclusion attempts, and access controls should be reviewed to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly in avoiding direct parameter interpolation in file inclusion operations, which aligns with the principles outlined in the CERT Secure Coding Standards and the OWASP Secure Coding Practices. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely remediation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.