CVE-2006-5722 in Segue CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Segue CMS 1.5.9 and earlier, when magic_quotes_gpc is enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the theme parameter to (1) themesettings.php or (2) index.php, a different vector than CVE-2006-5497. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-5722 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Segue CMS versions 1.5.9 and earlier. This issue specifically exploits the interaction between PHP's magic_quotes_gpc setting and improper input validation in the content management system's theme parameter handling. The vulnerability exists in two primary locations: themesettings.php and index.php, making it particularly dangerous as it provides multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to compromise systems running affected versions of the CMS.
The technical flaw stems from the insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input when processing the theme parameter in the mentioned PHP scripts. When magic_quotes_gpc is enabled, it typically prevents certain injection attacks by automatically escaping special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. However, this protection mechanism can be circumvented in specific scenarios, particularly when the application directly includes user-controllable variables without proper validation or sanitization. This creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious PHP code that gets executed on the target server, effectively allowing remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using affected Segue CMS versions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code on the web server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require local access or authentication to exploit it, making it particularly attractive for automated attacks. Given that this affects a content management system, successful exploitation could result in unauthorized modification of website content, theft of sensitive data, or use of the compromised server for further malicious activities.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and relates to the broader category of injection flaws in web applications. The attack vector described in CVE-2006-5722 specifically demonstrates how remote file inclusion vulnerabilities can be exploited when proper input validation is absent, making it a variant of the more general remote code execution threat model. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Segue CMS, disabling magic_quotes_gpc if possible, and implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures. Additionally, network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious URL patterns containing file inclusion parameters, as recommended by various threat intelligence frameworks including those aligned with ATT&CK framework's execution techniques.