CVE-2006-4205 in ProjectButler
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in WebDynamite ProjectButler 0.8.4 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the rootdir parameter to /classes/ scripts including (1) Cache.class.php, (2) Customer.class.php, (3) Performance.class.php, (4) Project.class.php, (5) Representative.class.php, (6) User.class.php, or (7) common.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4205 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting the WebDynamite ProjectButler 0.8.4 application. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of user-supplied input through the rootdir parameter, which is processed by multiple class scripts including Cache.class.php, Customer.class.php, and several others. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that are then executed as PHP code on the target server, creating a severe security risk for systems running this vulnerable software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the application's file inclusion mechanisms. When the rootdir parameter is passed to any of the affected scripts, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in file inclusion operations. This creates an environment where attackers can manipulate the parameter to point to external malicious resources, effectively bypassing normal access controls and executing unauthorized code. The vulnerability manifests across seven distinct files, indicating a systemic design flaw rather than an isolated issue, which amplifies the potential impact and attack surface.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to web application security as it allows remote code execution without requiring authentication or prior access to the system. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain full control over the affected server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and further lateral movement within network environments. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution as it can enable attackers to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised system as a launchpad for attacks against other systems. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for exploiting remote file inclusion vulnerabilities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through patching or updating to a non-vulnerable version of ProjectButler. Additionally, implementing input validation controls and sanitization measures can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include reviewing all file inclusion operations within the application to ensure proper validation of input parameters. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious file inclusion patterns and consider implementing web application firewalls to block malicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and address similar input validation weaknesses that could lead to remote code execution vulnerabilities.