CVE-2006-4920 in Site@School
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in [email protected] ([email protected]) 2.4.02 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the cmsdir parameter to (1) starnet/modules/sn_allbum/slideshow.php, and (2) starnet/themes/editable/main.inc.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4920 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting the StarNet content management system version 2.4.02 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The flaw exists due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters, specifically the cmsdir parameter that is processed without proper validation or encoding. The vulnerability impacts two distinct files within the StarNet application structure, namely starnet/modules/sn_allbum/slideshow.php and starnet/themes/editable/main.inc.php, both of which accept the cmsdir parameter and incorporate it directly into file inclusion operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker supplies a malicious URL as the value for the cmsdir parameter, which is then processed by the vulnerable PHP scripts. This creates a remote code execution scenario where the attacker can inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is classified as a remote file inclusion (RFI) issue, which is categorized under CWE-88 and CWE-94 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. These weaknesses represent failures in input validation and code execution controls that allow attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through external inputs. The attack vector leverages the PHP include or require functions, which can be tricked into executing code from remote locations, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability for web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-4920 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload backdoors, establish persistent access, and potentially move laterally within network environments. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the StarNet CMS, which could result in data breaches, service disruption, and unauthorized modifications to website content. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), enabling attackers to achieve their objectives through remote code execution. The impact is particularly severe given that the affected versions were widely deployed, making numerous systems vulnerable to exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected StarNet versions to 2.4.03 or later, which would contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Organizations should employ web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests containing suspicious URL patterns, and implement proper parameter validation to ensure that only expected values are accepted. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting file inclusion operations to local paths only, and disabling remote file inclusion features in PHP configurations. Security monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to alert on unusual file inclusion patterns, while regular security audits should verify that all input parameters are properly validated before processing. These defensive measures align with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 frameworks, providing comprehensive protection against similar remote file inclusion vulnerabilities.