CVE-2006-3773 in SMF-Forum
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in smf.php in the SMF-Forum 1.3.1.3 Bridge Component (com_smf) For Joomla! and Mambo 4.5.3+ 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 identified as CVE-2006-3773 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the SMF-Forum 1.3.1.3 Bridge Component for Joomla and Mambo content management systems. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied data from being directly incorporated into file inclusion operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the mosConfig_absolute_path parameter which is used to determine the absolute path for the SMF bridge component. When an attacker can control this parameter through HTTP request parameters, they can inject malicious URLs that point to remote servers hosting malicious PHP code. The vulnerability is classified as a remote file inclusion (RFI) issue that directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command or injection attack. This weakness allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides remote attackers with complete control over the affected web application and potentially the underlying server. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code, install backdoors, steal sensitive data, modify content, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects not only the specific Joomla! and Mambo installations but also any system that relies on the SMF bridge component for forum integration. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without authentication and can lead to full system compromise, making it a high-priority issue for security administrators to address immediately.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3773 involve multiple layers of defense including immediate patching of the affected software components, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, and configuring web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious URL patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and the need for proper parameter validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security risks. Organizations should also implement the principle of least privilege for web applications and consider implementing runtime application self-protection measures. Additionally, the ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services, emphasizing the need for network segmentation and monitoring of unusual file inclusion patterns in web server logs to detect potential exploitation attempts.