CVE-2006-4270 in mambelfish component
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in mambelfish.class.php in the mambelfish component (com_mambelfish) 1.1 and earlier for Mambo allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the mosConfig_absolute_path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4270 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the mambelfish component of Mambo CMS versions 1.1 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the mambelfish.class.php file and specifically targets the mosConfig_absolute_path parameter which is improperly validated during the component's execution. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious URLs that are then processed by the application, creating an avenue for arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-98 Improper Input Validation, which is classified as a common weakness in software development practices.
The technical mechanism of exploitation involves the manipulation of the mosConfig_absolute_path parameter through HTTP requests, where attackers can inject malicious URLs that point to remote servers hosting malicious PHP code. When the vulnerable application processes this parameter, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in file inclusion operations. This allows the application to fetch and execute code from remote locations, effectively granting attackers remote code execution capabilities on the affected server. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of unsafe dynamic code execution, where user-controllable input directly influences the file inclusion process without proper sanitization or validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for affected systems. Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, steal sensitive data, modify website content, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks against other systems. The vulnerability affects not just individual websites but can potentially be used to compromise entire server infrastructures, especially when multiple vulnerable applications exist on the same host. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments where a single compromised application can affect multiple websites hosted on the same server.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4270 should focus on immediate patching of the vulnerable component to version 1.2 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement input validation measures to sanitize all user-controllable parameters before they are processed by the application. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting file inclusion operations to local paths only and implementing proper access controls. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter PHP and T1071.004 for application layer protocol web protocols, demonstrating how such vulnerabilities can be leveraged for persistent access and lateral movement within compromised environments.