CVE-2006-5149 in OpenBiblio
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in OpenBiblio before 0.5.2 allow remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in (1) the page parameter to shared/help.php or (2) the tab parameter to shared/header.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5149 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the OpenBiblio library management system prior to version 0.5.2. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's handling of user-supplied parameters in two distinct script files. The flaw manifests when remote attackers manipulate the page parameter in shared/help.php or the tab parameter in shared/header.php by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences, enabling them to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary local files on the server.
This directory traversal vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates how insufficient sanitization of user input allows attackers to exploit the application's file inclusion mechanisms. When the application processes these malicious parameters without proper validation, it inadvertently constructs file paths that resolve to locations outside the intended web root or application directory, potentially exposing sensitive system files, configuration data, or even allowing arbitrary code execution depending on the server configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to local file systems, potentially enabling them to read sensitive files such as database configuration files, user credentials, application source code, or system configuration information. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web-based applications. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges, gain persistent access to the system, or use the acquired information to launch further attacks against the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the OpenBiblio system and could lead to complete system compromise if combined with other exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5149 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the affected applications. The primary defense involves ensuring that all user-supplied parameters undergo strict validation before being processed, particularly when these parameters are used in file inclusion or path construction operations. Implementing proper parameter sanitization techniques including whitelisting acceptable values, removing or encoding special characters, and employing absolute path resolution instead of relative paths can effectively prevent directory traversal attacks. Organizations should also apply the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to OpenBiblio version 0.5.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for suspicious patterns in incoming requests that attempt to exploit similar directory traversal vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive security testing of all file inclusion points within the application to identify and address similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other parts of the codebase.