CVE-2006-2890 in Pixelpost
Summary
by MITRE
Pixelpost 1-5rc1-2 and earlier, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to gain administrator privileges and conduct other attacks by setting the _SESSION["pixelpost_admin"] parameter to 1 in calls to admin scripts such as admin/view_info.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2890 represents a critical access control flaw in Pixelpost versions 1.0 through 1.5rc1-2 that stems from improper session management and insecure configuration practices. This issue specifically targets applications running with register_globals enabled, a dangerous PHP configuration that automatically creates global variables from request data including GET, POST, and COOKIE parameters. The vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates session variables directly through URL parameters or POST data, bypassing normal authentication mechanisms and gaining unauthorized administrative access to the application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the PHP register_globals directive which, when enabled, automatically converts all request variables into global scope variables. This creates a dangerous attack surface where malicious users can manipulate session state by simply appending parameters to URLs or crafting specific POST requests. In this case, attackers can set the _SESSION["pixelpost_admin"] parameter to 1 in calls to administrative scripts such as admin/view_info.php, effectively elevating their privileges without proper authentication. This flaw directly maps to CWE-284 Access Control Issues and represents a classic example of insecure session management where application logic fails to properly validate session state before granting administrative privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to completely compromise administrative accounts and gain full control over the affected Pixelpost installation. Once authenticated as an administrator, attackers can perform any administrative function including modifying content, adding or removing users, accessing sensitive data, and potentially using the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring any prior authentication credentials, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools and widespread attack campaigns. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as privilege escalation through credential manipulation and session management abuse.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to disable the register_globals directive in PHP configuration and implement proper input validation and session management practices. System administrators should ensure that register_globals is set to Off in php.ini configuration files, as this single change eliminates the underlying vulnerability. Additionally, the application should implement proper session validation checks that verify user authentication status before granting access to administrative functions. The code should be updated to explicitly check for valid administrative sessions rather than relying on potentially manipulated global variables. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and input sanitization measures, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly validated and that session variables are managed through secure, application-controlled mechanisms rather than relying on automatic global variable creation. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure proper security practices are maintained throughout the software development lifecycle.