CVE-2006-4848 in Hitweb
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Brian Fraval Hitweb 3.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the REP_CLASS parameter to (1) index.php, (2) arbo.php, (3) framepoint.php, (4) genpage.php, (5) lienvalider.php, (6) appreciation.php, (7) partenariat.php, (8) rechercher.php, (9) projet.php, (10) propoexample.php, (11) refererpoint.php, or (12) top50.php. NOTE: this issue has been disputed by a third party researcher, stating that REP_CLASS is initialized in an included file before being used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4848 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting Brian Fraval Hitweb 3.0, a web application framework that was prevalent in the mid-2000s. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input through the REP_CLASS parameter, which is processed across twelve distinct PHP files within the application's core functionality. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize input parameters before incorporating them into dynamic file inclusion operations, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code remotely.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic remote file inclusion pattern where malicious actors can manipulate the REP_CLASS parameter to include external PHP files hosted on attacker-controlled servers. When the application processes these parameters in index.php, arbo.php, framepoint.php, genpage.php, lienvalider.php, appreciation.php, partenariat.php, rechercher.php, projet.php, propoexample.php, refererpoint.php, or top50.php, it directly incorporates the user-supplied URL into its file inclusion mechanism without adequate sanitization. This creates a path traversal and code execution vulnerability that aligns with CWE-88, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements in input that could be interpreted as command or control instructions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise, as attackers can leverage the remote file inclusion to gain unauthorized access to the web server hosting the vulnerable application. The affected files represent core application components that handle various functionalities including content management, user interaction, and system navigation, making the attack surface particularly broad. Attackers could potentially establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure, following techniques consistent with ATT&CK tactic TA0001 (Initial Access) and TA0002 (Execution).
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of the broader category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation issues that plague legacy web applications. The disputed nature of the vulnerability by a third-party researcher suggests that the original assessment may have been overly broad or that the vulnerability was more nuanced in its actual implementation. However, the fundamental issue remains that the application failed to implement proper input validation controls, which is a critical security oversight. Organizations should implement robust input validation mechanisms, utilize whitelisting approaches for parameter handling, and consider implementing proper file inclusion security measures that prevent external URLs from being processed within critical application components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks that emphasize the principle of least privilege and input sanitization in web application development.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of proper parameter validation and sanitization measures across all affected files. Developers should ensure that any user-supplied input is validated against a strict whitelist of acceptable values before being processed. Additionally, the application should be configured to disable remote file inclusion features and implement proper access controls that prevent arbitrary file inclusion operations. Security configurations should include disabling dangerous PHP functions and implementing proper error handling to prevent information disclosure that could aid attackers in exploiting similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their legacy applications to identify and remediate similar issues that may exist in other components of their web infrastructure, following security best practices outlined in standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.