CVE-2006-5846 in FreeWebshop
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in FreeWebshop 2.2.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to read and include arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the page parameter, a different vector than CVE-2006-5773.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-5846 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting FreeWebshop version 2.2.2 and earlier implementations. This security weakness resides within the index.php script where the application fails to properly validate user input parameters, specifically the page parameter that controls which content to display. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate file access paths by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences that navigate upward through the directory structure, bypassing normal access controls and potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive system files.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates through a distinct attack vector compared to CVE-2006-5773, indicating that the exploitation methods differ between these related security flaws. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization where the application directly incorporates user-supplied values into file system operations without proper validation or filtering. When attackers submit malicious page parameter values containing directory traversal sequences, the web application processes these inputs without sufficient security checks, allowing the attacker to specify arbitrary file paths that should normally be restricted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file reading capabilities to include potential remote code execution through file inclusion attacks. An attacker could leverage this flaw to read system configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive information stored within the application's directory structure. Additionally, if the application allows inclusion of PHP files, attackers might be able to execute malicious code by referencing files in the web root or other accessible directories, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of CWE-22 Directory Traversal, which falls under the broader category of path traversal attacks that have been consistently identified as one of the most prevalent web application security risks. The attack pattern aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1566 Initial Access category, specifically targeting the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures, including whitelisting acceptable parameter values, implementing proper path normalization, and ensuring that all user-supplied inputs are thoroughly sanitized before being used in file system operations.
The remediation approach for CVE-2006-5846 requires immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the FreeWebshop application. System administrators should upgrade to versions that address this vulnerability, as the affected FreeWebshop 2.2.2 and earlier releases contain fundamental security flaws that cannot be adequately mitigated through configuration changes alone. Security measures should include implementing strict parameter validation that rejects or filters out directory traversal sequences, establishing proper access controls for file system operations, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block such malicious input patterns. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications that may be susceptible to the same class of directory traversal attacks.