CVE-2006-6262 in mboard
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in mboard.php in PHPJunkYard (aka Klemen Stirn) MBoard 1.22 and earlier allows remote attackers to create arbitrary empty files via a .. (dot dot) in the orig_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6262 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the mboard.php script of PHPJunkYard MBoard version 1.22 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw exists in the handling of user-supplied input within the orig_id parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences into the parameter value, enabling them to traverse the file system hierarchy and access or manipulate files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability specifically affects the file creation functionality, allowing remote attackers to generate arbitrary empty files in directories accessible to the web server process, potentially leading to unauthorized file system modifications and system compromise. This issue demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation and proper file path handling within the application's file manipulation routines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file creation, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the web application's file system in potentially destructive ways. By leveraging the directory traversal mechanism, an attacker could not only create empty files but also potentially overwrite existing files, delete critical system files, or gain access to sensitive data stored outside the web root directory. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed from any location with network access to the vulnerable web application. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary file system operations through the web interface. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal file access controls and potentially escalate privileges by creating files in system directories or injecting malicious content into the application's file structure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security flaw and broader application security practices. The most effective immediate fix involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file system operations. The application should validate that the orig_id parameter contains only expected characters and does not include directory traversal sequences such as .. or %2e%2e. Additionally, the application should implement proper path normalization and ensure that all file operations occur within a designated safe directory, using techniques such as chroot jails or directory whitelisting. Security patches should enforce strict file access controls and prevent file operations from extending beyond the intended application directory boundaries. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter values containing directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other security standards, particularly the principle of least privilege and input validation. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, ensuring that all file system operations are properly validated and constrained to prevent unauthorized access or manipulation of system resources.