CVE-2006-4637 in ACGV News
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in ACGV News 0.9.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the PathNews parameter in (1) header.php or (2) news.php. NOTE: portions of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4637 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting ACGV News version 0.9.1, a content management system that relies heavily on PHP for its functionality. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's codebase, specifically in two key files: header.php and news.php. The flaw manifests when the application accepts user-supplied input through the PathNews parameter without adequate security measures to prevent malicious code injection. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and remote file inclusion attacks, which are commonly classified under CWE-829 and CWE-20. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the application's behavior by injecting malicious URLs that point to remote resources containing arbitrary PHP code, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries of the application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the PathNews parameter within the HTTP request sent to either header.php or news.php endpoints. When these files process the user input without proper validation, they inadvertently execute code from remote servers, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious PHP scripts. The attack vector leverages the PHP include() or require() functions, which are commonly used for modular code organization but become dangerous when user input controls the file path. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it targets publicly accessible web applications that process user input without proper sanitization. The flaw essentially transforms the legitimate application functionality into a vehicle for remote code execution, enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to the underlying server and potentially escalate privileges within the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-4637 extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with comprehensive control over the affected system. Successful exploitation allows adversaries to upload additional malicious files, establish persistent backdoors, and potentially compromise the entire server infrastructure. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat that can be exploited repeatedly, as there are no inherent protections against malicious input in the affected application components. Organizations running ACGV News 0.9.1 become vulnerable to various attack scenarios including data theft, service disruption, and unauthorized system access. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects core application files that are essential for normal operation, meaning that even routine browsing activities could be exploited to deliver malicious payloads. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to web application security and demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in preventing remote code execution attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4637 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability through proper code sanitization and input validation. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that prevents the inclusion of external URLs in the PathNews parameter, particularly by whitelisting acceptable values or using a predefined set of safe paths. Organizations should disable the use of remote file inclusion features within the application and implement proper input filtering that rejects suspicious URL patterns or protocols. Security measures should include disabling the ability to pass external URLs to include functions, implementing proper access controls, and using a secure coding methodology that follows the principle of least privilege. Additionally, system administrators should deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious requests, while also implementing proper network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other applications, and the affected system should be upgraded to a patched version of ACGV News or replaced with a more secure alternative. The remediation process should also include implementing proper logging and monitoring mechanisms to detect and respond to exploitation attempts, ensuring that any unauthorized access attempts are immediately identified and addressed.