CVE-2006-3395 in SiteBuilder-FX
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in top.php in SiteBuilder-FX 3.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the admindir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3395 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in SiteBuilder-FX version 3.5, specifically within the top.php script. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input parameters, particularly the admindir parameter that is processed in the top.php file.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of the admindir parameter which is directly incorporated into file inclusion operations without adequate sanitization. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL as the value for the admindir parameter, the application processes this input without validation, leading to the inclusion of remote files that contain malicious PHP code. This creates a classic remote code execution scenario where attackers can inject and execute arbitrary commands on the target server. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-98, which specifically addresses "Improper Direct Object Reference," and represents a variant of the more general CWE-22, "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory."
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows attackers to gain complete control over the affected web server. Once exploited, adversaries can execute arbitrary commands, upload additional malicious files, establish backdoors, and potentially escalate privileges to gain deeper access to the underlying infrastructure. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require local access or authentication to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, "Exploit Public-Facing Application," and can be leveraged as part of broader attack chains leading to data breaches, system compromise, and persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. Organizations should employ allowlists of approved values for the admindir parameter rather than accepting arbitrary input, and implement proper path validation to prevent directory traversal attacks. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version that properly validates and sanitizes all input parameters before processing. Security measures should include disabling remote file inclusion features entirely, implementing proper access controls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The remediation process should also include monitoring for exploitation attempts and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting this vulnerability.