CVE-2006-3527 in BosClassifieds Classified Ads
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in BosClassifieds Classified Ads allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the insPath parameter to (1) index.php, (2) recent.php, (3) account.php, (4) classified.php, or (5) search.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3527 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting the BosClassifieds Classified Ads platform. This issue stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's file inclusion processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server. The vulnerability specifically impacts multiple core application files including index.php, recent.php, account.php, classified.php, and search.php, all of which accept the insPath parameter that controls the inclusion of external resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the insPath parameter which is used to determine which files should be included during the application's execution flow. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL as the value for this parameter, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in a file inclusion context. This allows the attacker to specify external resources that can contain malicious PHP code, which then gets executed on the server with the privileges of the web application. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of command injection and file inclusion attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations using the BosClassifieds platform, as it allows attackers to gain complete control over the affected web server. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access or local credentials to compromise the system. Successful exploitation could result in data theft, server compromise, defacement of the classifieds platform, and potential use as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms that attackers might implement.
Security practitioners should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary defense involves input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion contexts. Application developers should employ whitelisting mechanisms that restrict file inclusion to predefined, trusted resources only. Additionally, disabling the ability to include remote files through PHP's allow_url_include directive provides an effective defense in depth approach. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests containing malicious URL patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for server-side include attacks, emphasizing the need for proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application development.
The exploitation of this vulnerability underscores the importance of keeping web applications updated with the latest security patches and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures including dynamic application security testing and static code analysis. Regular security audits should specifically target file inclusion vulnerabilities and ensure that all user inputs are properly validated before being used in any dynamic execution contexts. Organizations should also implement proper logging and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures that can quickly address such security breaches when they occur.