CVE-2006-6151 in Messagerie Locale
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in centre.php in Messagerie Locale as of 20061127 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the page parameter. 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 • 10/04/2017
This vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in the Messagerie Locale application's centre.php script, specifically targeting PHP's remote file inclusion functionality. The vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input passed through the page parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject URLs that point to remote PHP scripts. This creates an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target server with the privileges of the web application. The issue stems from the application's improper handling of dynamic includes, where user-supplied data directly influences the file inclusion process without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern within the realm of web application security flaws categorized under CWE-88 and CWE-94. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that contain PHP code within the page parameter, which gets executed by the vulnerable application when it attempts to include the remote file. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for complete system compromise, enabling attackers to upload additional malicious files, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access to the compromised server. The vulnerability's classification as a remote file inclusion issue places it within the broader category of injection flaws that are commonly exploited in web application attacks and aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 and T1059 attack patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities to encompass significant security implications for organizations running affected versions of Messagerie Locale. Successful exploitation can result in complete server compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's age, dating back to 2006, suggests that organizations may have legacy systems still running vulnerable code, making them particularly susceptible to exploitation by threat actors who maintain weaponized payloads targeting these known weaknesses. Organizations that have not properly updated or patched their systems are at high risk of experiencing unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor-provided patch or upgrading to a non-vulnerable version of Messagerie Locale, as this directly addresses the root cause of the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures can prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. The implementation of proper access controls, including restricting the web server's ability to make external connections, can also help limit the impact of such vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications, as this vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to complete system compromise. The remediation process should also include monitoring for signs of exploitation attempts and implementing proper logging mechanisms to track potential security incidents.