CVE-2006-5088 in phpMyChat
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in connected_users.lib.php3 in phpHeaven phpMyChat 0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the ChatPath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5088 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the phpMyChat 0.1 application, specifically affecting the connected_users.lib.php3 file. This issue falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input parameters, particularly the ChatPath parameter that is processed during the inclusion of remote files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the ChatPath parameter to include a malicious URL pointing to remote content. The phpMyChat application, instead of validating the input, directly includes the specified path, allowing remote code execution through the PHP include mechanism. This flaw directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of argument delimiters in a command or query, and CWE-94, which addresses the execution of arbitrary code due to improper input validation. The vulnerability enables attackers to inject and execute PHP code from remote servers, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing vulnerable versions of phpMyChat. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to web servers, execute malicious commands, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the affected infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the targeted systems, as it allows for data exfiltration, system modification, and service disruption. Organizations running this vulnerable software face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected phpMyChat version to the latest secure release, which addresses the improper input validation issue. Network administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, particularly for all user-supplied parameters that influence file inclusion operations. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting web server permissions and implementing proper access controls to prevent unauthorized code execution. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious requests targeting known vulnerability patterns, and establish regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues in other applications. This vulnerability exemplifies the critical importance of input validation and proper secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework categories related to code injection and remote code execution techniques.