CVE-2006-4156 in mafia moblog
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in big.php in pearlabs mafia moblog 6 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the pathtotemplate parameter. NOTE: a third party claims that the researcher is incorrect, because template.php defines pathtotemplate before big.php uses pathtotemplate. CVE has not verified either claim, but during August 2006, the original researcher made several significant errors regarding this bug type.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4156 represents a remote file inclusion flaw that existed within the pearlabs mafia moblog 6 software and earlier versions. This issue specifically targets the big.php script where the pathtotemplate parameter is processed without proper validation, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected system. The vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and remote code execution, with potential implications for web application security and data integrity. The disputed nature of this CVE highlights the complexity often found in vulnerability research where multiple parties may have differing interpretations of the same security flaw.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of user-supplied input within the pathtotemplate parameter. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL as the value for this parameter, the application fails to validate or sanitize the input before incorporating it into the script execution flow. This allows for the inclusion of remote files that may contain malicious PHP code, effectively enabling attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target server. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer and can potentially lead to full system compromise if proper input validation is not implemented. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-98, which describes the condition where a program allows the inclusion of files from external sources without proper validation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify application behavior, or establish persistent backdoors within the affected system. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target network. Given that this vulnerability affects a content management system used for web publishing, successful exploitation could result in complete compromise of the web server, leading to data breaches, service disruption, or the installation of malware. The fact that the original researcher made significant errors during August 2006 suggests that the vulnerability's true scope and exploitation methods may have been misunderstood or misreported, complicating the security community's understanding of the actual risk presented.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application code. The most effective approach involves removing the ability for user input to directly influence file inclusion operations, typically by using allowlists of permitted template paths or implementing strict validation of any input used in file inclusion contexts. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly validated before being used in any file operations, particularly those involving dynamic path construction. Additionally, the application should be configured to disable remote file inclusion features and restrict file access permissions to prevent unauthorized code execution. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring systems can also help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. According to industry best practices, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, aligning with security frameworks that emphasize the need for secure coding practices and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the application codebase.