CVE-2006-4236 in POWERGAP
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in POWERGAP allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (1) shopid parameter to (a) s01.php, (b) s02.php, (c) s03.php, and (d) s04.php; and possibly a URL located after "shopid=" or "sid=" in the PATH_INFO.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4236 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the POWERGAP application, specifically affecting multiple PHP scripts that process user input through URL parameters. This vulnerability falls under the category of remote file inclusion attacks, which are classified as CWE-88 and CWE-99 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The affected scripts s01.php, s02.php, s03.php, and s04.php all demonstrate improper input validation mechanisms that fail to sanitize or validate external URL inputs before incorporating them into file inclusion operations.
The technical exploitation occurs when attackers manipulate the shopid parameter within the URL to inject malicious URLs that point to remote PHP scripts. This allows attackers to bypass local file access restrictions and execute arbitrary code on the target server. The vulnerability extends beyond the shopid parameter to include PATH_INFO processing, suggesting that the application's input handling is fundamentally flawed across multiple entry points. This weakness enables attackers to construct URLs that could potentially include malicious payloads after the shopid= or sid= parameters, creating multiple attack vectors for code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected server environment. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, server compromise, and potential lateral movement within network infrastructure. The vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of remote file inclusion to execute malicious code. Organizations using POWERGAP applications would face immediate security risks, including data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple scripts indicates a systemic design flaw that requires comprehensive remediation rather than isolated patching.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The recommended approach includes disabling remote file inclusion in PHP configurations using the allow_url_fopen directive, implementing proper parameter validation, and using a whitelist-based approach for all file inclusion operations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious URL patterns, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangers of allowing external URL parameters to influence server-side file operations, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.