CVE-2006-4672 in ppalCart
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in profitCode ppalCart 2.5 EE, possibly a component of PayProCart, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (1) proMod parameter to (a) index.php, or the (2) docroot parameter to (b) index.php or (c) mainpage.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4672 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the profitCode ppalCart 2.5 EE e-commerce platform, which may be part of the broader PayProCart suite. This security weakness stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into file path operations. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes URL parameters without adequate sanitization, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to inject arbitrary file paths that can lead to unauthorized code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary attack vectors involving the proMod parameter in index.php and the docroot parameter in both index.php and mainpage.php. When attackers supply malicious URLs through these parameters, the application's inadequate input validation allows the inclusion of remote files from external servers. This flaw directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command or injection context, and more specifically to CWE-94, which addresses the execution of arbitrary code through inadequate input sanitization. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute PHP code remotely by leveraging the application's trust in user-provided input, effectively bypassing normal access controls and security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Remote code execution capabilities allow threat actors to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify database contents, and potentially establish persistent access to the compromised server. The vulnerability affects e-commerce environments where ppalCart 2.5 EE is deployed, potentially exposing customer data, payment information, and business-critical resources. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform actions such as data theft, system compromise, and further lateral movement within network environments, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where such applications may be part of larger infrastructures.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers the exploitation of remote services through the execution of arbitrary code. The attack surface extends beyond simple code execution to include data persistence and privilege escalation opportunities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and the removal of potentially dangerous PHP functions such as allow_url_include. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting file inclusion capabilities and implementing proper access controls. Regular security assessments, application firewalls, and network monitoring are essential to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangers of trusting user-provided data without adequate sanitization, representing a classic example of how insufficient security controls can lead to complete system compromise in web applications.