CVE-2006-2960 in Joomla
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in includes/joomla.php in Joomla! 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the includepath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2960 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the Joomla! content management system version 1.0. This security weakness resides in the includes/joomla.php file and fundamentally stems from improper input validation mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied data before using it in file inclusion operations. The vulnerability specifically affects the includepath parameter which is processed without adequate security controls, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that are subsequently included and executed by the PHP interpreter.
This flaw operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-98, which classifies it as "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and more specifically aligns with CWE-88, "Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection')." The vulnerability enables attackers to leverage the PHP include functionality to execute malicious code remotely, as the application does not properly validate or sanitize the includepath parameter before passing it to the include() function. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL in the includepath parameter, the Joomla! application treats this input as a legitimate file path and attempts to include and execute the remote file, thereby providing unauthorized code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted within the context of web application security. Attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor access. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the server infrastructure. This vulnerability directly maps to several tactics within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 category for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP" and T1190 for "Exploit Public-Facing Application," making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on unpatched Joomla! installations. The vulnerability essentially transforms the target web server into a potential command and control node for attackers, enabling them to establish persistent access and conduct further reconnaissance activities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to protect their Joomla 1.0, as this specific vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. Additionally, administrators should implement input validation measures that sanitize all user-supplied parameters before processing, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. Security configurations should enforce strict parameter validation and avoid using user-supplied input directly in include statements. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing proper security monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that all input validation mechanisms are robust against injection attacks.