CVE-2006-5126 in PowerPortal
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in index.php in John Himmelman (aka DaRk2k1) PowerPortal 1.3a allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the file_name[] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5126 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in PowerPortal 1.3a, a web application developed by John Himmelman also known as DaRk2k1. This vulnerability exists within the index.php file and demonstrates a classic security weakness that has been documented in numerous applications throughout the history of web development. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the file_name[] parameter handling mechanism. When the application processes user-supplied input through this parameter, it fails to adequately validate or sanitize the provided URLs before incorporating them into the application's execution flow. This lack of proper input filtering creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior by supplying malicious URLs that point to remote resources containing harmful PHP code. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's ability to distinguish between legitimate local file references and potentially malicious remote file references, making it susceptible to exploitation through remote code execution techniques.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations deploying PowerPortal 1.3a, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on the web server hosting the application. The implications extend beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, and potential lateral movement within the network. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, install backdoors, or use the compromised system as a launching point for attacking other systems within the network infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-98, which describes improper control of code generation capabilities, and represents a classic example of a remote code execution vulnerability that has been extensively documented in the cybersecurity community. This flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers the use of remote services for code execution, and T1059, which covers the execution of commands through various interfaces. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and the removal of any functionality that allows remote file inclusion. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to the vulnerable application and prevent unauthorized exploitation attempts.
The security implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate exploitation, as it demonstrates poor security practices in application development and highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their applications to identify similar vulnerabilities and implement comprehensive security measures including regular code reviews, security testing, and the application of security patches and updates to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.