CVE-2006-5304 in IncCMS Core
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in inc/settings.php in IncCMS Core 1.0.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the inc_dir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5304 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in IncCMS Core version 1.0.0 and earlier systems. This vulnerability resides within the inc/settings.php file and demonstrates a classic path traversal and code execution weakness that has been prevalent in web applications for decades. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input parameters, specifically the inc_dir parameter that is used to include configuration files. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-98, which specifically addresses "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')". The vulnerability enables malicious actors to manipulate the application's file inclusion mechanism by supplying a URL as the value for the inc_dir parameter, effectively allowing them to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for any system running the affected IncCMS Core version. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute malicious code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the server or any local privileges to exploit the flaw. Once successfully exploited, attackers can establish persistent backdoors, steal sensitive data, modify content, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1190, which covers "Exploit Public-Facing Application", and T1059, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers can execute arbitrary commands through the PHP code execution capability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's insecure handling of dynamic file inclusion operations. When the inc_dir parameter is passed to the include or require functions in PHP without proper validation, the application becomes vulnerable to manipulation. The attacker can craft a malicious URL that points to a remote server hosting malicious PHP code, which gets executed by the web server when the vulnerable include statement processes the parameter. This vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation and proper parameter sanitization, which are core security practices recommended by security standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. The flaw also relates to CWE-434, which addresses "Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type", as the vulnerability allows for the upload and execution of arbitrary code through parameter manipulation rather than traditional file upload mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5304 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves patching the application to version 1.0.1 or later, which would contain the necessary code modifications to properly validate and sanitize the inc_dir parameter. Additionally, administrators should implement input validation measures that strictly limit the values accepted for the inc_dir parameter, ensuring that only predefined, safe directories are permitted. The use of PHP's allow_url_include directive should be disabled in the php.ini configuration file, as this prevents the inclusion of remote files through URLs. Network-level mitigations such as implementing web application firewalls and restricting access to administrative functions can provide additional layers of protection. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious include patterns and unusual file access attempts. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of their applications, as this type of flaw often appears in legacy systems that have not been properly updated or maintained. The vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms in all web applications.