CVE-2006-4123 in Boite de News
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in boitenews4/index.php in Boite de News 4.0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the url_index parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4123 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Boite de News 4.0.1 content management system that exposes web applications to arbitrary code execution attacks. This vulnerability resides within the boitenews4/index.php script where the url_index parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject external URLs that are then included and executed as PHP code on the target server, creating a pathway for complete system compromise. Such vulnerabilities fall under the category of CWE-88, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in an eval context, and more broadly aligns with CWE-94, representing improper execution of code. The vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, demonstrating how attackers can leverage such weaknesses to establish persistent access and execute malicious payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into server-side file inclusion operations. When the url_index parameter is passed to the index.php script, the application directly uses this parameter in a file inclusion context without verifying that the provided URL points to legitimate local resources. This primitive input handling allows attackers to specify remote URLs that contain malicious PHP code, which gets executed when the web server processes the inclusion request. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, as attackers can simply craft a malicious URL parameter that points to a remote server hosting their payload, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. The flaw essentially bypasses the application's intended security boundaries by treating external URLs as if they were trusted local resources, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server and potentially the entire underlying infrastructure. Once successfully exploited, attackers can upload additional malicious files, establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, and use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks against internal networks. The vulnerability affects not just the web application itself but can potentially compromise the entire hosting environment, especially when multiple applications share the same server resources. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Boite de News 4.0.1 face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations, as the vulnerability can be exploited by automated scanning tools and targeted attackers alike. The widespread use of such CMS platforms in web applications means that a single unpatched vulnerability can affect numerous organizations simultaneously, creating cascading security issues throughout the internet ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary and most effective solution involves applying the vendor-provided security patch that implements proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters. Organizations should also implement input validation at multiple layers, including web application firewalls, server-side filters, and application-level checks that prevent the inclusion of external URLs in file operations. Security configurations should be reviewed to ensure that file inclusion functions are properly restricted to local resources only, and that any external resource handling follows strict validation procedures. Additional protective measures include implementing proper access controls, monitoring for suspicious file inclusion patterns, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime application self-protection mechanisms and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing remote code execution attacks, making it essential for development teams to follow security guidelines and conduct thorough code reviews to prevent similar issues in future applications.