CVE-2006-4378 in Rssxt component
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in the Rssxt component for Joomla! (com_rssxt), possibly 2.0 Beta 1 or 1.0 and earlier, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the mosConfig_absolute_path parameter in (1) pinger.php, (2) RPC.php, or (3) rssxt.php. NOTE: another researcher has disputed this issue, saying that the attacker can not control this parameter. In addition, as of 20060825, the original researcher has appeared to be unreliable with some other past reports. CVE has not performed any followup analysis with respect to this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4378 represents a disputed remote file inclusion flaw within the Rssxt component for Joomla! versions 2.0 Beta 1 or 1.0 and earlier. This issue manifests through three specific files including pinger.php, RPC.php, and rssxt.php where the mosConfig_absolute_path parameter can potentially be manipulated by remote attackers. The vulnerability falls under the category of remote code execution through insecure input handling, which aligns with CWE-94 - Improper Control of Generation of Code and CWE-434 - Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type. The component's design appears to directly incorporate user-supplied input into file path resolution without adequate sanitization, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability would occur when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and injects it into the mosConfig_absolute_path parameter within the affected PHP files. This parameter is likely used to construct file paths for including additional components or libraries, but due to insufficient validation, it accepts external input that could point to malicious remote resources. The attack vector demonstrates a classic remote file inclusion (RFI) vulnerability pattern where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-controllable input before using it in file system operations. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would map to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP, as the attacker leverages the web application to execute malicious PHP code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as successful exploitation would grant remote attackers complete control over the affected Joomla! installation. Attackers could execute arbitrary commands, upload malicious files, steal sensitive data, modify content, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks against the internal network. The vulnerability's presence in multiple files increases the attack surface and reduces the effectiveness of potential defensive measures, as an attacker only needs to find one of the three vulnerable entry points to achieve code execution. The disputed nature of this vulnerability stems from conflicting researcher claims about whether the parameter can actually be controlled by attackers, with the original researcher's reliability questioned by the community. This uncertainty makes the vulnerability assessment and remediation challenging for system administrators, as they must consider both the potential threat and the disputed nature of the reported issue. The lack of follow-up analysis by CVE indicates that the security community was unable to definitively confirm the vulnerability's existence and exploitability, leaving organizations to make their own risk assessments based on the available evidence.