CVE-2006-5261 in PHPMyNews
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in PHPMyNews 1.4 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the cfg_include_dir parameter in (1) disp_form.php3, (2) disp_smileys.php3, (3) little_news.php3, and (4) index.php3 in include/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5261 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting PHPMyNews versions 1.4 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within the cfg_include_dir parameter, which is processed in four distinct script files including disp_form.php3, disp_smileys.php3, little_news.php3, and index.php3. The flaw stems from the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize input parameters before using them in include statements, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code through malicious URLs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic remote file inclusion pattern where user-controllable input directly influences the include path mechanism. When an attacker provides a malicious URL in the cfg_include_dir parameter, the PHP application processes this input without adequate sanitization, leading to the inclusion of remote files containing malicious code. This creates a pathway for arbitrary code execution on the vulnerable system, potentially allowing attackers to gain full control over the affected server. The vulnerability manifests across multiple entry points within the application's include directory, amplifying the attack surface and increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations utilizing vulnerable versions of PHPMyNews. The remote execution capability means attackers can potentially establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability's presence in core application files like index.php3 and disp_form.php3 suggests that exploitation could affect fundamental application functionality and user data integrity. Additionally, the nature of the flaw makes it particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially enabling privilege escalation or lateral movement attacks.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a variant of CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. The remediation strategy must focus on immediate patching of PHPMyNews to versions that properly validate and sanitize user input before processing include directives. Input validation should implement strict whitelisting of allowed include paths and ensure that all user-supplied parameters undergo proper sanitization. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and restricting file inclusion capabilities to trusted sources can mitigate the risk. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious include patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangers of allowing user-controllable parameters to influence file inclusion mechanisms in web applications.