CVE-2006-4669 in Somery
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in admin/system/include.php in Somery 0.4.6 and earlier, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the skindir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4669 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Somery content management system version 0.4.6 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the admin/system/include.php file and exploits the dangerous combination of PHP's register_globals directive being enabled alongside improper input validation. The flaw occurs when an attacker can manipulate the skindir parameter through a URL, allowing the application to include and execute arbitrary PHP code from remote locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and remote code execution threats that have been consistently documented in cybersecurity literature.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires that the PHP configuration has register_globals enabled, which was a common setting in older PHP environments and posed significant security risks. When register_globals is active, user-supplied input parameters automatically become global variables within the PHP execution context. The skindir parameter in the Somery application appears to be directly incorporated into include or require statements without proper sanitization or validation, creating an avenue for attackers to inject malicious URLs. This flaw aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and CWE-94, which covers execution of arbitrary code. The vulnerability demonstrates how legacy PHP configurations and poor input handling can create persistent security weaknesses that remain exploitable for years after initial discovery.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected web server. Successful exploitation allows adversaries to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or deployment of additional malware. The remote nature of the attack means that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system. This vulnerability would have been particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments where multiple websites share the same server resources, as exploitation could potentially affect other hosted applications. Organizations using Somery or similar legacy systems would have faced significant risk exposure, as this vulnerability could be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors or to pivot to other systems within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4669 must address both the immediate vulnerability and the underlying configuration issues that enable exploitation. The primary recommendation involves disabling register_globals in the PHP configuration, which eliminates the core condition necessary for exploitation. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques should be enforced throughout the application code to prevent any direct inclusion of user-supplied parameters. The application should utilize whitelisting approaches for parameter values or implement strict path validation to ensure that only legitimate directories can be referenced. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious inclusion patterns. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1505.003, which covers server-side include attacks, emphasizing the need for proper parameter handling in web applications. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in legacy systems that may have been overlooked during initial development phases.