CVE-2006-5839 in PHPAdventure
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in ad_main.php in PHPAdventure 1.1-Alpha and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the _mygamefile parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5839 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in PHPAdventure version 1.1-Alpha and earlier releases. This vulnerability exists within the ad_main.php script which processes user input through the _mygamefile parameter without proper validation or sanitization. The flaw stems from the application's improper handling of external input that should be restricted to local file paths only, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited from remote locations without requiring authentication or local access to the affected system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of remote file inclusion attacks. The flaw operates by allowing an attacker to manipulate the _mygamefile parameter to reference external URLs containing malicious PHP code. When the application processes this parameter, it fails to validate that the input represents a local file path rather than a remote URL, leading to the execution of code from external sources. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the broader ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries target applications accessible from the internet to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected server with the privileges of the web application. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. Attackers might leverage this vulnerability to deploy web shells, steal sensitive information, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The remote nature of the exploit means that defenders have limited visibility into attack attempts, as the malicious requests would appear as legitimate web traffic from external sources. Organizations using affected versions of PHPAdventure face significant risk of unauthorized code execution and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates to versions that address the remote file inclusion flaw. System administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization techniques to ensure that all user-supplied input is properly validated before processing. The application should be configured to reject any input that contains external URL references or protocol indicators such as http:// or https://. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with rules to block suspicious parameter values and conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components would provide layered defense. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file inclusion patterns and external URL references in web application logs. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for web application accounts and ensuring that all software components are regularly updated to address known security vulnerabilities.