CVE-2006-4851 in BolinOS
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in system/_b/contentFiles/gBHTMLEditor.php in BolinOS 4.5.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the gBRootPath parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2018
This vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the BolinOS content management system version 4.5.5 and earlier. The issue exists within the gBHTMLEditor.php script located in the system/_b/contentFiles/ directory, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input passed through the gBRootPath parameter. This parameter is directly used in a file inclusion operation without adequate security controls, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to inject malicious URLs and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command, and more specifically with CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code. The flaw operates by accepting user-supplied input through the gBRootPath parameter and subsequently using it in a file inclusion context without proper validation. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when passed to this parameter, will be included and executed by the vulnerable PHP application, effectively granting remote code execution capabilities.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to system security as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require local access or authentication to exploit this vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, service disruption, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 4.5.5, making it a widespread concern for organizations running these older versions of the BolinOS platform.
The attack vector for this vulnerability follows the typical remote file inclusion pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious URL parameter that gets processed by the vulnerable application. This pattern is commonly classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP" and T1190 for "Exploit Public-Facing Application". Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and the removal of vulnerable code paths. The most effective immediate solution involves patching the application to version 4.5.6 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed, or implementing proper input validation that prevents URL inclusion in the gBRootPath parameter. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and access control lists should be deployed to reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation attempts.