CVE-2006-4369 in IntegraMOD Portal
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in includes/functions_portal.php in IntegraMOD Portal 2.x and earlier, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via an absolute pathname in the phpbb_root_path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2024
The CVE-2006-4369 vulnerability represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw within the IntegraMOD Portal 2.x and earlier versions, specifically targeting the includes/functions_portal.php file. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them within the application's file inclusion logic. The flaw becomes particularly dangerous when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, removing a crucial security layer that would otherwise escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that include absolute pathnames in the phpbb_root_path parameter, effectively bypassing normal file access controls and gaining unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the server filesystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental principle of path traversal attacks where an attacker manipulates input parameters to navigate beyond the intended directory structure. In this specific case, the phpbb_root_path parameter serves as the attack vector, allowing malicious users to specify absolute file paths that the application then attempts to include or process. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the attacker's input passes through without proper sanitization, enabling direct file system access to sensitive information such as configuration files, database credentials, or other system files that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is classified as a path traversal or directory traversal vulnerability.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-4369 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially read sensitive system files, access database configuration details, or even retrieve application source code that might contain additional security flaws. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its remote nature, meaning attackers do not require local system access or credentials to exploit the flaw. This makes it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications where the attack surface is broad and the potential for automated exploitation is high. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use the information gathered to plan more sophisticated attacks against the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4369 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate fix involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. Applications should employ whitelist-based validation that only accepts known good values or implement proper path normalization that strips out potentially dangerous sequences such as double dots or forward slashes. Additionally, administrators should ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or implement alternative input sanitization mechanisms. The broader security posture should include regular security audits of application code, implementation of proper access controls, and deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious file traversal attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regularly updating their applications to ensure they are running patched versions that address known vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration issues can lead to catastrophic security breaches in web applications.