CVE-2006-5137 in UBB.threads
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple direct static code injection vulnerabilities in Groupee UBB.threads 6.5.1.1 allow remote attackers to (1) inject PHP code via a theme[] array parameter to admin/doedittheme.php, which is injected into includes/theme.inc.php; (2) inject PHP code via a config[] array parameter to admin/doeditconfig.php, and then execute the code via includes/config.inc.php; and inject a reference to PHP code via a URL in the config[path] parameter, and then execute the code via (3) dorateuser.php, (4) calendar.php, and unspecified other scripts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5137 represents a critical security flaw in Groupee UBB.threads version 6.5.1.1 that exposes multiple pathways for remote code execution through direct static code injection attacks. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of input validation failure and code execution, creating a dangerous attack surface that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary PHP code into the application's runtime environment. The flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are directly incorporated into PHP code execution contexts, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries and enabling unauthorized code manipulation.
The technical exploitation occurs through three distinct attack vectors that demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the application's code structure and execution flow. The first vector targets the theme[] array parameter in admin/doedittheme.php, which gets processed and injected into includes/theme.inc.php, creating a direct code injection point where attacker-controlled data becomes executable PHP code. The second vector utilizes the config[] array parameter in admin/doeditconfig.php, where the injected code is subsequently executed through includes/config.inc.php, while the third vector leverages the config[path] parameter to inject references to PHP code that can be executed across multiple scripts including dorateuser.php, calendar.php, and unspecified other components. This multi-layered approach demonstrates how a single vulnerability can cascade through different execution contexts within the application.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents an extremely dangerous threat model that allows remote attackers to achieve complete system compromise without requiring authentication or privileged access. The attack surface spans multiple application modules and execution points, making it particularly challenging to defend against and remediate. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-94, which describes the weakness of allowing untrusted data to be executed as code, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically PHP. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and establishment of persistent access points that could be leveraged for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
The remediation approach must address multiple code injection points simultaneously, requiring comprehensive input validation and sanitization across all affected parameters. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation that prevents PHP code from being executed in any context where user input is processed. The solution involves applying proper output encoding, implementing secure coding practices for parameter handling, and ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being incorporated into executable code contexts. Additionally, the application should enforce proper access controls and implement input validation at multiple layers including application-level filtering, web application firewall rules, and server-side configuration hardening to prevent any form of code injection from succeeding. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input sanitization in preventing remote code execution attacks that can lead to complete system compromise.