CVE-2006-5381 in Contenido
Summary
by MITRE
Contenido CMS stores sensitive data under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain database credentials and other information via a direct request to (1) db_msql.inc, (2) db_mssql.inc, (3) db_mysqli.inc, (4) db_oci8.inc, (5) db_odbc.inc, (6) db_oracle.inc, (7) db_pgsql.inc, or (8) db_sybase.inc in the conlib/ directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-5381 represents a critical misconfiguration in Contenido CMS that exposes sensitive database connection information to unauthorized users. This flaw stems from improper access controls and insecure file placement within the web root directory structure, creating a pathway for remote attackers to directly access critical configuration files. The affected files db_msql.inc, db_mssql.inc, db_mysqli.inc, db_oci8.inc, db_odbc.inc, db_oracle.inc, db_pgsql.inc, and db_sybase.inc all contain database credential information that should remain protected from public access. These files are located in the conlib/ directory, which is typically accessible through standard web requests, making them vulnerable to direct exploitation by malicious actors without requiring authentication or privileged access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes the improper exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The flaw occurs because the Contenido CMS application fails to implement proper access controls for configuration files containing database credentials, allowing attackers to bypass normal application security mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects multiple database connection files, meaning that regardless of which database type the CMS is configured to use, attackers can obtain the necessary credentials to access the underlying database. This exposure enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including data theft, database manipulation, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The direct request capability means that attackers can simply append the vulnerable file names to the web server URL to retrieve the sensitive information, making exploitation straightforward and requiring no advanced technical skills.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations using Contenido CMS, as it provides attackers with immediate access to database credentials that can be used for unauthorized data access, modification, or exfiltration. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise, potentially exposing sensitive user information, business data, and other confidential assets. The vulnerability also facilitates potential privilege escalation attacks where attackers can use the database credentials to gain deeper access to the system. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for phishing techniques, as it enables attackers to obtain legitimate credentials that can be used for further exploitation. Organizations may also face compliance violations under regulations such as gdpr, hipaa, or pci dss due to the exposure of sensitive data through this misconfiguration.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2006-5381 focus on implementing proper access controls and secure configuration practices. Organizations should immediately move sensitive configuration files outside the web root directory or implement robust access control mechanisms that prevent direct web access to these files. The application should be configured to use proper authentication checks before serving any configuration data, and file permissions should be adjusted to restrict access to only authorized system processes. Security headers and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and block direct requests to sensitive files. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security audits to identify and remediate similar misconfigurations across their entire application portfolio. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that only necessary system components have access to database credentials. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be implemented to detect and address similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.