CVE-2006-5263 in phpMyAgenda
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in templates/header.php3 in phpMyAgenda 3.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the language parameter, as demonstrated by a parameter value naming an Apache HTTP Server log file that apparently contains PHP code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5263 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the phpMyAgenda 3.1 web application, specifically affecting the templates/header.php3 component. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them within the application's file inclusion logic. The flaw exists in the language parameter handling where the application directly incorporates user input into file path resolution without proper sanitization or validation checks, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted input sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the manipulation of the language parameter to include parent directory references using the .. (dot dot) notation. When an attacker submits a parameter value containing directory traversal sequences pointing to sensitive system files such as Apache HTTP Server log files, the application processes these inputs without proper validation, resulting in arbitrary local file inclusion. This occurs because the application's file inclusion mechanism does not properly restrict the paths that can be accessed, allowing attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy and potentially access files that should remain protected. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous when log files contain embedded PHP code, as these can be executed directly by the web server when included through the vulnerable script, enabling remote code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to complete system compromise when attackers leverage the ability to execute arbitrary PHP code within the context of the web server. This represents a significant threat to web application security, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources, potentially leading to data theft, service disruption, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects versions 3.1 and earlier of phpMyAgenda, indicating that this was a known issue that persisted across multiple releases, highlighting inadequate security testing and code review practices during the development lifecycle. Organizations running affected versions face substantial risk of unauthorized access and potential system compromise, particularly in environments where the web application has elevated privileges or access to sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures to prevent directory traversal attacks. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects any input containing directory traversal sequences or special characters that could be used to manipulate file paths. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and privilege separation to limit the damage that can be caused by such vulnerabilities. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other components of the application. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for unvalidated redirects and forwards, as the vulnerability enables attackers to redirect application behavior through malicious input manipulation. The remediation process should include updating to patched versions of phpMyAgenda, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting comprehensive security assessments to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in related systems.