CVE-2006-5931 in Aigaion
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Aigaion Web based bibliography management system 1.2.1, when register_globals is enabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the DIR parameter to certain PHP scripts in (1) lib/actions/, (2) lib/displays/, (3) lib/editforms/, (4) lib/functions/, (5) scheme/, and (6) the root directory. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; details are obtained from third party sources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2006-5931 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Aigaion Web based bibliography management system version 1.2.1 that exploits the dangerous combination of insecure parameter handling and the deprecated register_globals PHP configuration. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-829 category of Insecure Removal of Sensitive Information and specifically manifests as a remote code execution vector through improper input validation in multiple script directories. The flaw occurs when the web application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs that get included and executed as PHP code on the target server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the register_globals setting which, when enabled, automatically creates PHP variables from HTTP request data including GET, POST, and COOKIE parameters. Attackers can manipulate the DIR parameter in several key directories including lib/actions/, lib/displays/, lib/editforms/, lib/functions/, scheme/, and the root directory to inject malicious URLs. When the application processes these parameters without proper validation or sanitization, it effectively executes the remote code contained in the injected URL, creating a persistent backdoor or allowing full system compromise. This vulnerability directly aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over the affected web server, steal sensitive bibliographic data, modify or delete database entries, and establish persistent access for further reconnaissance and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects a wide range of system components due to its presence in multiple directories, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack vectors. Organizations using the Aigaion system in environments where register_globals remains enabled face significant risk of compromise, as the vulnerability does not require authentication and can be exploited from any location with internet access. The lack of official sources for this vulnerability information suggests it may have been discovered through security research or exploitation by threat actors, highlighting the importance of proactive security measures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate configuration changes to disable register_globals in the PHP environment, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, and applying the latest security patches from the Aigaion development team. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter injection attempts, conduct regular security audits of web applications, and ensure proper network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper configuration management, as it could have been prevented through proper input validation and the avoidance of deprecated PHP features that create dangerous security conditions. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other web applications, as this type of vulnerability remains common in legacy systems where security updates are not regularly applied.