CVE-2006-5634 in phpProfiles
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in phpProfiles 2.1 Beta allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (1) reqpath parameter to (a) body.inc.php and (b) body_blog.inc.php in users/include/; or the (2) usrinc parameter in users/include/upload_ht.inc.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-5634 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting phpProfiles 2.1 Beta software. This issue stems from improper input validation mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic file inclusion operations. The vulnerability specifically targets multiple files within the application's include directory structure, creating pathways for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system. Such vulnerabilities fall under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation as classified by CWE-20 and CWE-94 respectively, which are fundamental weaknesses in software security design.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of specific HTTP parameters that are processed by the application's include mechanisms. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing PHP code within the reqpath parameter of body.inc.php and body_blog.inc.php files located in the users/include/ directory, or alternatively manipulate the usrinc parameter in upload_ht.inc.php. These parameters are directly incorporated into include statements without proper sanitization or validation, allowing attackers to specify arbitrary file paths that can point to malicious remote resources. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic remote file inclusion (RFI) pattern where user-controllable input is used to determine which files to include, creating a direct pathway for code injection attacks. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, which specifically addresses vulnerabilities in web applications that allow remote code execution through input manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for affected systems. Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to full system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload backdoor scripts, establish persistent access, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects not just the immediate application but can potentially provide attackers with access to underlying system resources, database connections, and other application components that rely on the compromised web server. Organizations running phpProfiles 2.1 Beta are particularly at risk since this vulnerability has been identified in a beta release, suggesting that the software may not have undergone comprehensive security testing before public release, and may contain additional undiscovered vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and sanitization. The most effective remediation involves implementing strict parameter validation that prevents user-supplied input from being used directly in include statements. Applications should employ whitelisting mechanisms that only permit known, safe values for file inclusion parameters, rather than accepting arbitrary paths. Additionally, administrators should disable remote file inclusion capabilities in PHP configurations when possible, and implement proper input sanitization routines that filter out potentially malicious characters and sequences. Security measures should also include regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar patterns that could lead to other injection vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, while maintaining up-to-date security patches for all software components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper secure coding practices, which aligns with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks that emphasize prevention of injection flaws and proper access control mechanisms.