CVE-2006-4918 in Simple Discussion Board
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Simple Discussion Board 0.1.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (1) env_dir parameter to (a) blank.php, (b) admin.php, or (c) builddb.php, and the (2) script_root parameter to blank.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4918 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting Simple Discussion Board version 0.1.0. This issue stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the application's PHP scripting environment, creating pathways for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on the affected server. The vulnerability manifests through multiple entry points including blank.php, admin.php, and builddb.php scripts, making it particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with several potential attack vectors to compromise the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of specific parameters within the web application's request handling process. Attackers can leverage the env_dir parameter in blank.php, admin.php, and builddb.php, as well as the script_root parameter in blank.php, to inject malicious URLs that point to remote code repositories. When these parameters are processed without proper sanitization or validation, the application inadvertently includes and executes the malicious code from the attacker-controlled remote location, effectively granting remote code execution privileges to the attacker.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and specifically addresses the lack of proper input validation that allows attackers to inject malicious code into the application's execution flow. The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target server with the privileges of the web application process, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and further network infiltration. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers "Exploit Public-Facing Application" as the attack vector involves exploiting a publicly accessible web application to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code.
The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate code execution capabilities, as successful exploitation can lead to persistent backdoor access, data theft, and use of the compromised system as a launch point for attacks against other network resources. Organizations running Simple Discussion Board 0.1.0 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and disabling remote file inclusion features. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input validation mechanisms that reject any input containing suspicious patterns or external URL references, while also ensuring that the application's configuration disables remote file inclusion capabilities entirely. Additionally, network-level firewalls should be configured to restrict access to vulnerable scripts and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications.