CVE-2006-5257 in Ciamos
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in modules/forum/include/config.php in Ciamos Content Management System (CMS) 0.9.6b and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the module_cache_path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The CVE-2006-5257 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the Ciamos Content Management System version 0.9.6b and earlier releases. This vulnerability resides in the modules/forum/include/config.php file where the application fails to properly validate user input before incorporating it into file inclusion operations. The specific parameter affected is module_cache_path which accepts URL values that can be manipulated by remote attackers to inject malicious code execution payloads. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of remote file inclusion attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it as the module_cache_path parameter to the vulnerable script. The CMS application then processes this parameter without adequate sanitization, leading to the inclusion of remote files that contain attacker-controlled PHP code. This creates a scenario where arbitrary code execution becomes possible on the target server, allowing attackers to perform actions such as data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure coding standards.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents severe consequences for any organization using affected Ciamos CMS versions. Successful exploitation enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to the web server hosting the CMS, potentially leading to full system compromise and data breaches. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target network. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of remote access tools and exploitation of web application vulnerabilities to establish persistent access to target systems. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, and financial losses due to unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5257 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Ciamos CMS versions to the latest available releases that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent user-supplied data from being processed in file inclusion operations. Additionally, web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious URL patterns that attempt to exploit remote file inclusion vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other industry security standards to prevent similar issues in future software development cycles. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify and remediate similar weaknesses across their entire application portfolio.