CVE-2006-4115 in PgMarket
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in common.inc.php in PgMarket 2.2.3, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the CFG[libdir] parameter.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4115 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the PgMarket 2.2.3 web application that leverages the dangerous combination of insecure parameter handling and the deprecated register_globals configuration setting. This issue exists in the common.inc.php file where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into critical system operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the CFG[libdir] parameter, which when manipulated by an attacker can lead to arbitrary code execution on the affected server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the dangerous behavior of PHP's register_globals directive being enabled on the target server. When register_globals is active, user-supplied input becomes automatically available as global variables within the PHP execution context. This creates a pathway where an attacker can inject malicious file paths through the CFG[libdir] parameter, causing the application to include and execute arbitrary PHP code from remote locations. The flaw falls under the CWE-88 category of Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command, specifically manifesting as a remote file inclusion vulnerability that directly enables code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or service disruption, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server. Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to full system compromise. Attackers can upload backdoors, establish persistent access, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, demonstrating how the flaw can be leveraged for both initial access and post-exploitation activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4115 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves disabling the register_globals directive in the PHP configuration, which effectively eliminates the automatic creation of global variables from user input. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application code is essential to prevent malicious parameters from being processed. The application should employ absolute path validation for all include statements and avoid dynamic inclusion of user-supplied parameters. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious inclusion patterns, while conducting regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation process should include updating to a supported version of PgMarket that addresses this vulnerability, as the affected version is likely to contain additional security weaknesses that compound the risks associated with this flaw.