CVE-2006-2983 in Enterprise Payroll Systems
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in Enterprise Timesheet and Payroll Systems (EPS) 1.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the absolutepath parameter in cal.php. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2017
The CVE-2006-2983 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Enterprise Timesheet and Payroll Systems version 1.1 and earlier, which falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation. This vulnerability specifically affects the cal.php script within the application's codebase, where the absolutepath parameter is processed without adequate sanitization or validation, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system. The flaw stems from the application's failure to properly validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into file system operations, which directly violates secure coding principles and represents a classic example of a remote code execution vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it through the absolutepath parameter in the cal.php script. The application processes this parameter without proper validation, allowing the attacker to specify a remote URL that contains malicious PHP code. When the application attempts to include this file, the remote code gets executed within the context of the web server, providing the attacker with the ability to perform arbitrary operations on the affected system. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet without requiring authentication or prior access to the system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-98, which describes improper file inclusion vulnerabilities, and represents a specific case of CWE-20, which covers improper input validation in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server and potentially the entire underlying infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, steal sensitive payroll and timesheet data, modify system configurations, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks against internal networks. The vulnerability affects organizations using the Enterprise Timesheet and Payroll Systems, which may contain highly sensitive employee information, financial data, and business-critical operational records. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, demonstrating how a single vulnerability can enable multiple attack vectors and persistent access to target environments.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including applying the latest available patches from the software vendor, implementing strict input validation controls, and configuring web application firewalls to block suspicious URL patterns. The recommended mitigation strategies include disabling remote file inclusion features in PHP configurations, implementing proper parameter validation and sanitization, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Given the age of this vulnerability and the lack of vendor support for older versions, organizations should consider migrating to more modern, secure payroll and timesheet systems that follow current security best practices and have proper vulnerability management processes in place to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.