CVE-2006-4754 in PHProg
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php in PHProg before 1.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the album parameter, which is used in an opendir call. NOTE: the same primary issue can be used for full path disclosure with an invalid parameter that reveals the installation path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4754 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in PHProg versions prior to 1.1, specifically affecting the index.php script. This flaw resides in how the application processes the album parameter within an opendir call, creating an exploitable vector that allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's output. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into dynamic web content, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the PHProg application. When the album parameter is passed to the opendir function, the application fails to sanitize or escape the input before displaying it in the web interface. This creates a classic reflected XSS scenario where malicious payloads can be embedded in the album parameter and subsequently executed when other users view the affected page. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer, leveraging the trust relationship between the web application and its users to deliver malicious payloads that can persistently compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple XSS exploitation to include full path disclosure capabilities when invalid parameters are provided. This dual nature significantly amplifies the threat surface, as attackers can not only execute malicious scripts but also extract sensitive installation path information from error messages. The path disclosure vulnerability, categorized under CWE-209, provides attackers with detailed system information that can be used for further exploitation, including identifying potential attack vectors, understanding the application's architecture, and planning more sophisticated attacks. This information disclosure aspect makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with the foundational knowledge needed for advanced persistent threats.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a prime example of how inadequate input validation can create cascading security issues within web applications. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection and T1068 for local privilege escalation through path disclosure. Organizations utilizing PHProg or similar applications should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including proper parameter validation, output encoding, and the implementation of Content Security Policies to mitigate such vulnerabilities. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the application to version 1.1 or later, combined with the adoption of secure coding practices that prevent user input from being directly incorporated into dynamic web content without proper sanitization.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web application security, particularly when dealing with file system operations that involve user-supplied parameters. The use of functions like opendir without proper input sanitization creates inherent risks that can be exploited through various attack vectors. This case highlights the necessity of implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include both server-side validation and client-side security measures, as well as regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire application stack. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting such vulnerabilities, as the impact can extend beyond immediate XSS execution to include more severe consequences such as session hijacking and data exfiltration.