CVE-2006-4768 in Newsscript
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple direct static code injection vulnerabilities in add_go.php in Stefan Ernst Newsscript (aka WM-News) 0.5 beta allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via the (1) description, (2) issue, (3) title, (4) var, (5) name, (6) keywords, and (7) note parameters, which are stored in an article file. NOTE: the original source of this vulnerability is unknown; the details are obtained from third party information and CVE post-disclosure analysis.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4768 represents a critical security flaw in Stefan Ernst Newsscript version 0.5 beta, specifically within the add_go.php component. This issue constitutes a direct static code injection vulnerability that fundamentally compromises the application's security posture by allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code through carefully crafted input parameters. The vulnerability affects multiple input fields including description, issue, title, var, name, keywords, and note parameters, all of which are processed and stored in article files without adequate sanitization or validation measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling within the news script's article submission mechanism. When users submit content through the add_go.php script, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before storing it in article files. This absence of input validation creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious PHP code directly into the application's data storage, which then gets executed when the content is subsequently processed or displayed. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the data persistence mechanism rather than the execution environment itself, making it particularly dangerous as it can persist across multiple user sessions and system interactions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to achieve full remote code execution capabilities on the affected system, potentially leading to complete compromise of the web server hosting the news script. The attack surface is broad as it affects multiple parameter fields, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. Security professionals should recognize this as a classic example of a code injection vulnerability that aligns with CWE-94, which specifically addresses the execution of arbitrary code due to insufficient input validation. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it within the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or conduct further reconnaissance activities.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization measures across all user-supplied parameters. System administrators should implement strict whitelisting of acceptable input characters and ensure that all data stored in article files undergoes thorough sanitization before persistence. Additionally, the application should employ proper output encoding when displaying user-generated content to prevent potential cross-site scripting attacks that could compound the vulnerability. The vulnerability's characteristics align with the broader category of insecure data handling practices that have been consistently identified in web application security assessments, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive input validation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security code reviews to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future development cycles, while maintaining awareness of the ATT&CK framework's guidance on preventing command injection techniques that leverage similar attack patterns.