CVE-2006-4549 in Feedsplitter
Summary
by MITRE
CHXO Feedsplitter 2006-01-21 allows remote attackers to read the source code of feedsplitter.php via the showsource function. NOTE: this issue is not a vulnerability in standard distributions, but could be an issue if the source has been modified.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4549 affects the CHXO Feedsplitter version 2006-01-21, representing a significant security flaw that enables remote attackers to access sensitive source code files through an exposed showsource function. This vulnerability specifically targets the feedsplitter.php script and demonstrates a classic path traversal or source code disclosure weakness that could provide attackers with critical information about the application's internal implementation and potential attack vectors. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-502 which deals with deserialization of untrusted data, though in this case the primary concern involves information disclosure rather than direct code execution. The flaw arises from improper input validation within the showsource function that fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied parameters before using them to determine which file to display.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposure of source code provides attackers with detailed insights into the application's architecture, database connection strings, configuration parameters, and potential implementation weaknesses that could be exploited in subsequent attacks. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1528 which focuses on obtaining credentials through the exposure of sensitive information. When attackers can access source code, they gain knowledge about the application's logic flow, authentication mechanisms, and potential injection points that could lead to more severe compromises. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows arbitrary file access through the showsource function, potentially enabling attackers to read not only the feedsplitter.php file but other sensitive files within the application directory structure.
The security implications of this vulnerability become more severe when considering that the issue is not present in standard distributions but rather emerges when the source code has been modified by administrators or developers. This suggests that organizations implementing custom modifications to the Feedsplitter application may inadvertently introduce this vulnerability through poorly configured input validation or insufficient security hardening of custom functions. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in secure coding practices where developers fail to implement proper access controls and input sanitization for functions that are intended to provide debugging or administrative capabilities. Organizations should understand that the presence of such vulnerabilities in modified code represents a critical gap in their security posture, as these issues often go undetected during standard security assessments and penetration testing phases.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and access control mechanisms within the showsource function to ensure that only authorized users can access source code files. The recommended approach involves removing or disabling the showsource functionality entirely in production environments, as this type of debugging feature should never be exposed to untrusted users. Organizations should also implement proper file access controls and ensure that sensitive files are not accessible through web-based interfaces. Additionally, regular security assessments should include checks for similar vulnerabilities in custom application code, particularly focusing on functions that handle file operations or provide administrative capabilities. The implementation of web application firewalls and proper input filtering can help prevent exploitation attempts, while comprehensive code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other custom-developed components.