CVE-2006-4944 in ProgSys
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in includes/pear/Net/DNS/RR.php in ProgSys 0.151 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the phpdns_basedir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4944 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the ProgSys 0.151 software suite, specifically affecting the Net/DNS/RR.php component within the PEAR library integration. This vulnerability resides in the way the application processes user-supplied input through the phpdns_basedir parameter, which is designed to specify the base directory for DNS resolution operations. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that are then processed by the PHP interpreter, creating an opportunity for remote code execution. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter or escape user-provided data before it is used in file inclusion operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command or injection attack. When an attacker supplies a malicious URL through the phpdns_basedir parameter, the application treats this input as a legitimate file path specification rather than validating its contents against a whitelist of acceptable values. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages PHP's ability to include remote files, which can be configured to execute code directly from remote servers. This creates a direct pathway for attackers to upload and execute malicious payloads without requiring local system access or authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data breach scenarios. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and access sensitive system resources. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the ProgSys application and potentially exposes all systems running vulnerable versions to remote exploitation. This represents a significant concern for organizations relying on this software, as it provides an unauthenticated attack vector that can be exploited from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly attractive to automated attack tools and malicious actors.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected systems and implementation of input validation controls. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied parameters are strictly validated against predefined whitelists and that any file inclusion operations are performed with proper path validation. The remediation process should include disabling remote file inclusion features in PHP configuration, implementing proper input sanitization, and establishing network-level controls to prevent access to known malicious domains. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in application design, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques for preventing code injection attacks. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and provide additional layers of defense.