CVE-2006-3751 in HTMLArea3
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in popups/ImageManager/config.inc.php in the HTMLArea3 Addon Component (com_htmlarea3_xtd-c) for ImageManager 1.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the mosConfig_absolute_path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3751 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw that affects the HTMLArea3 Addon Component within the ImageManager 1.5 framework. This vulnerability specifically targets the popups/ImageManager/config.inc.php file, which serves as a configuration endpoint for the image management functionality. The flaw arises from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied data, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary PHP code into the application's execution flow.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the mosConfig_absolute_path parameter, which is intended to define the absolute path for configuration purposes. When attackers supply a malicious URL as the value for this parameter, the application fails to validate or sanitize the input before incorporating it into the file inclusion process. This allows remote attackers to reference external PHP scripts hosted on malicious servers, effectively enabling arbitrary code execution on the vulnerable system. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-98, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for "Exploit Public-Facing Application."
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Once successfully exploited, adversaries can upload additional malicious files, establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects systems running vulnerable versions of the HTMLArea3 Addon Component, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple applications share common code bases or where the component is widely deployed across different installations.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. Organizations should implement strict whitelisting mechanisms that only permit known good paths and prevent external URL references from being processed. The recommended remediation includes updating to patched versions of the ImageManager component, implementing proper parameter validation, and applying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious URL patterns. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting file inclusion capabilities to only those paths that are absolutely necessary for legitimate application functionality, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for "Valid Accounts" and the broader security principle of minimizing attack surface area.