CVE-2006-4850 in BolinOS
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in system/_b/contentFiles/gBIndex.php in BolinOS 4.5.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the gBRootPath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4850 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting BolinOS version 4.5.5 and earlier systems. This issue resides within the file system component at system/_b/contentFiles/gBIndex.php where the application fails to properly validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into file path operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the gBRootPath parameter which serves as a critical entry point for attackers to manipulate the application's file inclusion behavior. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and remote code execution threats, creating a significant security risk for any system utilizing the affected software version.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker provides a malicious URL through the gBRootPath parameter, which the application then processes without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw enables attackers to include arbitrary PHP files from remote locations, effectively allowing them to execute malicious code on the target server. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command, and CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code. The attack vector operates through standard HTTP requests where the malicious payload is embedded within the URL parameter, bypassing normal access controls and security mechanisms that would typically protect against unauthorized code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, creating potential for complete system compromise and data breach scenarios. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire BolinOS platform, potentially exposing user data, system configurations, and underlying infrastructure components. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and system infiltration, particularly in environments where the application handles sensitive information or serves as a core component of business operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the vendor. System administrators must implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent user-supplied parameters from being directly processed in file inclusion operations. The implementation of a whitelist approach for acceptable file paths and the use of secure coding practices such as those recommended in the OWASP Top Ten can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Additionally, network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor and block suspicious requests containing malicious URL patterns. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their entire software ecosystem, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security weaknesses in the application architecture and development practices.