CVE-2006-5841 in dodosmail
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in dodosmail.php in DodosMail 2.0.1 and earlier, and possibly 2.1, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the (1) dodosmail_header_file or (2) dodosmail_footer_file parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5841 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting DodosMail version 2.0.1 and potentially 2.1. This vulnerability resides within the dodosmail.php script and manifests through two distinct parameter injection points that enable attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into file inclusion operations. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically highlighting the dangerous practice of directly incorporating user input into file paths without adequate sanitization. The attack vector leverages the PHP include or require functions, which are designed to execute code from specified files, but become dangerous when the file path is derived from user-controllable input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, creating multiple attack pathways for malicious actors to compromise affected systems. An attacker can exploit the vulnerability by crafting malicious URLs and injecting them into either the dodosmail_header_file or dodosmail_footer_file parameters, which are then processed by the vulnerable application. This allows for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the web server process, potentially enabling full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework aligns with T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP, demonstrating how attackers can leverage web application flaws to execute malicious code. The lack of proper input validation creates an environment where attackers can include remote files from malicious servers, effectively turning the vulnerable application into a command and control channel.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5841 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of DodosMail, as the vulnerability was resolved in later releases through proper input validation and sanitization. Administrators should implement strict parameter validation, rejecting any input containing suspicious characters or patterns that could indicate malicious intent. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that web server processes run with minimal required permissions, limiting potential damage from successful exploitation. Network-level protections including firewall rules and web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests targeting these specific parameters. Additionally, input sanitization techniques such as whitelisting allowed values, implementing proper escape sequences, and using secure coding practices should be adopted to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future development cycles. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar flaws across the entire application stack, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input handling in preventing remote code execution attacks.