CVE-2006-5243 in Easy Doc
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in OpenDock Easy Doc 1.4 and earlier, when register_globals is enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the doc_directory parameter in (1) down_stat.php, (2) file.php, (3) find_file.php, (4) lib_file.php, and (5) lib_form_file.php in sw/lib_up_file/; (6) find_comment.php, (7) comment.php, and (8) lib_comment.php in sw/lib_comment/; (9) sw/lib_find/find.php; and other unspecified PHP scripts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-5243 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting OpenDock Easy Doc versions 1.4 and earlier. This security weakness stems from the application's improper handling of user-supplied input within the doc_directory parameter across multiple script files. The vulnerability becomes exploitable when the PHP configuration setting register_globals is enabled, creating a dangerous condition where attacker-controlled variables can be injected into the global namespace. The affected scripts span multiple directories including sw/lib_up_file/, sw/lib_comment/, and sw/lib_find/, indicating a widespread issue within the application's file handling mechanisms. These vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-88 category of Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command, which is classified as a command injection vulnerability type within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a Remote Code Execution technique, specifically under the T1059.007 sub-technique for PHP.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental flaw in how the application processes the doc_directory parameter without proper input validation or sanitization. When register_globals is enabled, any variable passed through GET or POST requests becomes automatically available as a global variable, bypassing normal PHP security mechanisms. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing PHP code within the doc_directory parameter, which gets included and executed by the vulnerable scripts. The affected files demonstrate a pattern of insecure file inclusion practices where the application directly uses user input to construct file paths without proper validation, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects multiple files across different modules, amplifying the potential attack surface and impact scope.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-5243 is severe and far-reaching for any system running vulnerable versions of OpenDock Easy Doc. Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload malicious files, establish backdoors, or perform data exfiltration from the affected system. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple script files within different directories suggests that a single exploitation attempt could potentially provide access to various application functionalities, including file management, comment systems, and search capabilities. Organizations using vulnerable versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability also indicates poor input validation practices within the application's architecture, suggesting additional security weaknesses may exist.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5243 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves disabling the register_globals PHP configuration setting, which eliminates the fundamental condition enabling this attack vector. Organizations should upgrade to OpenDock Easy Doc versions 1.5 or later, which contain patches addressing the remote file inclusion vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within all affected scripts is crucial, ensuring that user-supplied parameters undergo rigorous validation before being used in file inclusion operations. Web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious URL patterns containing potentially malicious file inclusion attempts. The implementation of the principle of least privilege should be enforced, restricting web server permissions to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities throughout the application codebase, particularly focusing on file handling and user input processing mechanisms.