CVE-2006-5440 in Form Designer
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in adminfoot.php in Comdev Form Designer 4.1, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the path[docroot] parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5440 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Comdev Form Designer version 4.1 web application. This security weakness specifically affects the adminfoot.php component and manifests when the PHP configuration parameter register_globals is enabled. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's parameter handling mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled data can be directly incorporated into file inclusion operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the dangerous interaction between PHP's register_globals directive and improper parameter validation. When register_globals is enabled, PHP automatically creates global variables from request parameters, eliminating the need for explicit variable declaration. Attackers can manipulate the path[docroot] parameter to inject malicious URLs that get processed by the vulnerable include statement in adminfoot.php. This creates a path traversal and code execution scenario where arbitrary PHP code can be executed on the target server with the privileges of the web application.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes the improper validation of critical control elements, and CWE-94, which covers the execution of arbitrary code or commands. The operational impact of this flaw is severe as it allows remote attackers to gain complete control over the affected web server. An attacker can execute malicious code, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications to establish persistent access.
The risk assessment for this vulnerability is elevated due to several factors including the ease of exploitation, the lack of authentication requirements, and the potential for privilege escalation. The vulnerability exists in an environment where the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user input before using it in file inclusion operations. The exploitation process requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for widespread use. Organizations running Comdev Form Designer 4.1 with register_globals enabled face significant security risk as this vulnerability can be exploited without any user interaction or authentication.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5440 should prioritize immediate remediation through disabling the register_globals directive in PHP configuration, as this eliminates the core condition that enables exploitation. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within the application code is essential to prevent malicious parameters from being processed. The recommended solution involves updating to a patched version of Comdev Form Designer or applying specific code modifications to validate and escape all user-supplied input before it is used in any file inclusion operations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and proper access controls should also be implemented to reduce the attack surface and detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure that all PHP applications properly configure their environments to disable dangerous features like register_globals.