CVE-2006-4666 in Newsscript
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Stefan Ernst Newsscript (aka WM-News) 0.5 beta allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (1) ide parameter in (a) article.php; or the (2) pwfile parameter in (b) delete.php, (c) modify.php, (d) admin.php, or (e) modify_go.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2018
The CVE-2006-4666 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Stefan Ernst Newsscript version 0.5 beta, commonly known as WM-News. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters that are directly incorporated into file inclusion operations without proper sanitization or validation. The affected software is a news management system that processes user input through various PHP scripts to dynamically include files, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate the inclusion process to execute arbitrary code on the target server.
The technical exploitation occurs through two primary attack vectors that leverage PHP's include or require functions. The first vector targets the ide parameter within article.php, while the second vector affects multiple parameters including pwfile across several administrative scripts such as delete.php, modify.php, admin.php, and modify_go.php. These parameters are directly concatenated into file inclusion statements without adequate input validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious URLs that point to remote servers hosting malicious PHP code. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-88 category of Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command, specifically manifesting as a remote file inclusion vulnerability that enables arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected server. Successful exploitation allows remote code execution with the privileges of the web server process, potentially enabling attackers to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised server for further attacks. The vulnerability affects the entire administrative functionality of the news script, making it possible for attackers to modify content, delete articles, or gain full administrative access to the system. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it represents an unpatched vulnerability in a publicly accessible web application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected WM-News version 0.5 beta to address the input validation flaws in the affected scripts. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization by validating and filtering all user-supplied parameters before they are used in file inclusion operations. The recommended approach involves using allowlists for acceptable input values, implementing proper parameter validation, and avoiding dynamic file inclusion with user-controllable data. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by running web applications with minimal required permissions and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and the dangers of directly incorporating user input into dynamic code execution contexts, serving as a classic example of why secure coding practices must be rigorously applied in web application development.