CVE-2006-5441 in Web Blogger
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in adminfoot.php in Comdev Web Blogger 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 described in CVE-2006-5441 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting Comdev Web Blogger 4.1, specifically within the adminfoot.php component. This vulnerability operates under the premise that the PHP application is configured with register_globals enabled, a dangerous configuration setting that automatically creates global variables from request data. The flaw manifests when an attacker can manipulate the path[docroot] parameter to include a malicious URL, thereby enabling arbitrary code execution on the target server. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-88, which addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of remote file inclusion attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation directly aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 tactic for Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the dangerous interaction between PHP's register_globals directive and improper input validation. When register_globals is enabled, any parameter passed through GET or POST requests automatically becomes a global variable within the PHP script's scope. This creates a scenario where an attacker can inject malicious URLs into the path[docroot] parameter, which then gets included by the vulnerable script. The inclusion mechanism typically occurs through functions like include(), require(), or their variants, which can execute code from remote locations when provided with valid URLs. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it requires no authentication and can be exploited from any remote location, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. The attack vector follows the standard pattern of CVE-2006-5441 where the remote file inclusion is achieved through parameter manipulation rather than direct code injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise. Successful exploitation allows attackers to upload and execute arbitrary PHP scripts, potentially leading to full system control, data theft, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the entire web application stack since it operates at the application level and can be leveraged to escalate privileges or move laterally within the network. Organizations running Comdev Web Blogger 4.1 with register_globals enabled face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe when considering that many legacy web applications were configured with register_globals enabled by default, making them prime targets for exploitation. This type of vulnerability also demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and the dangers of deprecated PHP configurations that should never be used in production environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5441 must address both the immediate vulnerability and the underlying configuration issues. The primary recommendation involves disabling the register_globals directive in the PHP configuration, which immediately eliminates the core condition required for exploitation. Additionally, all input parameters should undergo strict validation and sanitization, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The application should implement proper input filtering to prevent URL inclusion attacks and utilize whitelisting mechanisms for any dynamic path parameters. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious inclusion patterns. The remediation process includes updating to newer versions of Comdev Web Blogger that address this vulnerability, as well as conducting comprehensive security audits to identify other potentially vulnerable applications. According to industry best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, this vulnerability would be classified as a high-risk issue requiring immediate remediation, and the mitigation approach should follow the principle of least privilege and defense in depth to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future development cycles.