CVE-2006-4968 in PNphpBB
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in includes/functions_admin.php in PNphpBB 1.2g allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the phpbb_root_path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2024
The CVE-2006-4968 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw discovered in PNphpBB 1.2g, a popular bulletin board system that integrates with phpBB. This vulnerability resides within the includes/functions_admin.php file and demonstrates a classic path traversal and code execution weakness that has been a persistent concern in web application security for over a decade. The flaw specifically targets the phpbb_root_path parameter which is improperly validated and sanitized before being used in file inclusion operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the phpbb_root_path parameter to include malicious remote URLs. When the application processes this parameter, it directly incorporates the provided URL into a file inclusion directive without adequate input validation or sanitization. This allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code hosted on remote servers, effectively bypassing local security controls and gaining unauthorized access to the vulnerable system. The vulnerability falls under CWE-98 - Improper Control of Generation of Code and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it targets publicly accessible web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, escalate privileges, or completely compromise the hosting environment. Since the vulnerability enables remote code execution, attackers can deploy malware, modify database contents, steal user credentials, or use the compromised system as a launchpad for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication and can be exploited through standard web browser interactions, making it highly accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4968 should focus on immediate patching of the affected PNphpBB version, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent unauthorized file path manipulation, utilize whitelisting approaches for parameter values, and employ secure coding practices that avoid dynamic file inclusion with user-supplied data. Additionally, network segmentation, web application firewalls, and regular security audits should be implemented to reduce the attack surface and detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and following secure coding guidelines that prevent code injection attacks, particularly those related to file inclusion and path traversal vulnerabilities that have been documented in numerous security frameworks and standards including OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.