CVE-2006-4354 in Phome Empire
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in e/class/CheckLevel.php in Phome Empire CMS 3.7 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the check_path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4354 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the Phome Empire CMS version 3.7 and earlier systems. This vulnerability exists in the e/class/CheckLevel.php component where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input parameters. The specific parameter affected is check_path which accepts URL values without adequate security controls, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that process user input directly into server-side operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it through the check_path parameter to the vulnerable script. The PHP application processes this input without proper validation, allowing the remote attacker to include external files that may contain malicious code. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command, and CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code, both of which are fundamental weaknesses in input validation and code execution control. The attack vector enables an adversary to leverage the web application's file inclusion mechanism to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations utilizing affected versions of Phome Empire CMS. The remote code execution capability allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to server resources, potentially leading to data breaches, system infiltration, and complete service disruption. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution as attackers can establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, and T1078 for valid accounts, as successful exploitation typically requires legitimate access to the web application's functionality to deliver the malicious payload. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that it affects a core component of the CMS, making it difficult to isolate and remediate without comprehensive system updates.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must include immediate patching of the affected Phome Empire CMS versions to the latest available releases that contain proper input validation and sanitization controls. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious URL patterns targeting the vulnerable check_path parameter. Input validation mechanisms must be strengthened to ensure that all user-supplied parameters undergo strict sanitization before processing, particularly for URL and file path inputs. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting the web server's ability to include external files, and proper access controls should be implemented to prevent unauthorized file operations. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the web application stack, as this vulnerability represents a common pattern that may exist in other CMS platforms or custom applications. The remediation process should also include monitoring for exploitation attempts and implementing intrusion detection systems to alert on suspicious file inclusion activities.