CVE-2006-4834 in phpQuiz
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in index.php in Jule Slootbeek phpQuiz 0.01 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the pagename parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4834 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the phpQuiz 0.01 web application developed by Jule Slootbeek. This vulnerability exists within the index.php file and specifically targets the pagename parameter which is susceptible to manipulation by remote attackers. The flaw enables unauthorized execution of arbitrary PHP code on the target server, fundamentally compromising the application's security posture and potentially leading to complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to severe security consequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input received through the pagename parameter. When a malicious actor supplies a URL as the value for this parameter, the application directly includes and executes the remote file without adequate security checks. This behavior creates an attack surface where attackers can leverage the legitimate file inclusion mechanism to load and execute malicious code from external servers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially enabling further reconnaissance and exploitation activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent access to the affected system. An attacker could upload malicious PHP shells, modify existing files, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised server as a launching point for attacks against other systems within the network. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks when the web server process has elevated permissions, potentially allowing attackers to gain administrative access to the entire server. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where multiple applications share the same server infrastructure, as it could lead to lateral movement and widespread compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4834 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The most effective immediate fix involves modifying the application code to reject any input containing URLs or external references in the pagename parameter. Security professionals should implement allow-list validation that only accepts predefined, safe values for the parameter. Additionally, disabling the ability to include remote files through configuration settings and ensuring proper file permission controls can significantly reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious inclusion patterns, while maintaining regular security updates and vulnerability assessments to prevent similar issues in other applications. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-98 and CWE-88 categories, representing insecure file inclusion and improper input validation respectively, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services.