CVE-2006-4922 in Siteatschool
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in starnet/editors/htmlarea/popups/images.php in Site@School (S@S) 2.4.02 and earlier allows remote attackers to upload and execute arbitrary files with executable extensions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4922 represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw within the Site@School content management system version 2.4.02 and earlier. This issue exists within the starnet/editors/htmlarea/popups/images.php component, which serves as a file upload interface for managing multimedia content within the web application. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly verify file types and extensions before processing uploads. This vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-434 Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, which is a well-documented weakness in web application security where applications allow users to upload files without proper restrictions on file types or content validation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote attackers to bypass normal security controls and upload malicious files with executable extensions such as .php, .asp, .jsp, or other server-side script extensions. When these files are uploaded to the server, they can be executed directly by the web server, providing attackers with arbitrary code execution capabilities. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to upload web shells, backdoors, or other malicious payloads that can be used to gain persistent access to the compromised system. The lack of proper file extension validation and content type checking means that attackers can upload files that appear to be legitimate images but contain malicious code, effectively bypassing the intended image upload functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using Site@School 2.4.02 or earlier versions. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive data, modify content, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the entire web application stack since it operates at the file upload level, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges, steal user credentials, or use the compromised system as a launchpad for further attacks within the network. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it allows for remote code execution and command execution through uploaded malicious files. Organizations may face significant data breaches, system downtime, and regulatory compliance violations if this vulnerability is exploited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4922 should focus on immediate patching of the Site@School application to version 2.4.03 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict file validation mechanisms that check both file extensions and MIME types against a whitelist of allowed formats. The system should enforce proper file name sanitization and avoid allowing uploads with executable extensions. Additional security measures include implementing proper access controls, restricting upload directories, and ensuring that uploaded files are stored outside the web root directory. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious upload attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other web applications, as this type of vulnerability is commonly found in legacy systems and represents a fundamental security flaw that requires comprehensive remediation approaches.