CVE-2006-5284 in PHP News Reader
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in auth/phpbb.inc.php in Shen Cheng-Da PHP News Reader (aka pnews) 2.6.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the CFG[auth_phpbb_path] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The CVE-2006-5284 vulnerability represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Shen Cheng-Da PHP News Reader (pnews) version 2.6.4 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the authentication module at auth/phpbb.inc.php, where the application fails to properly validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into file paths. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the CFG[auth_phpbb_path] parameter, which is used to specify the path to a phpBB authentication file, allowing them to inject malicious URLs that will be executed on the target server.
This vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution issue that falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')." The weakness occurs because the application directly incorporates user input into file inclusion operations without adequate sanitization or validation, creating an opportunity for attackers to load and execute arbitrary PHP code from remote servers. The vulnerability specifically targets the PHP include/require functions that are commonly used for modular code organization, but when user input is not properly validated, they become attack vectors for code injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected server with the privileges of the web application. This can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or the installation of backdoors and malware. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the server, potentially escalating privileges and moving laterally within the network. The vulnerability affects systems running vulnerable versions of the pnews application, making it particularly dangerous in environments where this specific news reader software is deployed without proper patching or security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5284 should focus on immediate patching of the vulnerable software to version 2.6.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the remote file inclusion vulnerability. Organizations should also implement input validation controls that sanitize all user-supplied data before it is processed by the application, particularly parameters that are used in file inclusion operations. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by detecting and blocking malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, "Exploit Public-Facing Application," as it represents an attack against publicly accessible web applications that can be exploited remotely. Additionally, implementing proper secure coding practices including the use of allowlists for file paths and avoiding dynamic file inclusion with user-controlled variables would prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future.