CVE-2006-5077 in Minerva
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in admin/admin_topic_action_logging.php in Chris Smith Minerva Build 238 and earlier 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 • 04/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5077 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the Minerva bulletin board system version 238 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the admin/admin_topic_action_logging.php component of the application, which serves as an administrative interface for managing topic actions within the forum. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied data from being processed as part of file inclusion operations. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-98 as a "PHP Remote File Inclusion" which is a well-documented class of vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the phpbb_root_path parameter, which is intended to specify the root directory path for the phpBB installation. When an attacker provides a malicious URL as the value for this parameter, the vulnerable application fails to validate or sanitize the input before using it in a file inclusion operation. This allows the attacker to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code from remote locations, effectively granting them remote code execution capabilities on the target system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable web application. The attack vector falls under the ATT&CK technique T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP" as it leverages web application weaknesses to execute malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Once successfully exploited, an attacker can upload additional malicious files, establish persistent backdoors, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application and underlying system, as it allows for unauthorized data access and system compromise. Organizations running affected versions of the Minerva bulletin board system are at significant risk of data breaches, system takeover, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor secure coding practices related to input validation and file inclusion operations, which are fundamental security requirements in web application development. The impact is particularly severe given that the vulnerability affects administrative components of the application, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges and full control over forum administration functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5077 involve immediate patching of the affected application to version 239 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement input validation measures at the application level, including strict parameter sanitization and whitelisting of acceptable values for the phpbb_root_path parameter. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be applied by restricting file inclusion operations to only necessary paths and ensuring that the web server has minimal required permissions. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of validating all user inputs before processing them in any security-sensitive operations. Organizations should also implement monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts and code execution activities on their web applications.