CVE-2006-6331 in TorrentFlux
Summary
by MITRE
metaInfo.php in TorrentFlux 2.2, when $cfg["enable_file_priority"] is false, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters (backticks) in the torrent parameter to (1) details.php and (2) startpop.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-6331 represents a critical command injection flaw within the TorrentFlux 2.2 web application that exposes remote attackers to arbitrary code execution capabilities. This vulnerability specifically targets the metaInfo.php component and manifests when the configuration setting $cfg["enable_file_priority"] is disabled, creating a dangerous condition where user-supplied input is improperly sanitized before being processed in shell contexts. The attack vector involves exploitation of shell metacharacters, particularly backticks, which are commonly used for command substitution in unix-like operating systems. When attackers manipulate the torrent parameter in requests to details.php or startpop.php endpoints, they can inject malicious commands that get executed with the privileges of the web server process, potentially compromising the entire hosting environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output encoding practices within the TorrentFlux application codebase. The backtick characters used in the torrent parameter are interpreted by the shell as command substitution operators, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary system commands through the web interface. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that aligns with CWE-77, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. The flaw occurs because the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into shell execution contexts, creating a direct pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend far beyond simple data theft or service disruption, as it provides attackers with full system compromise capabilities through the web interface. An attacker could potentially execute commands such as creating new user accounts, modifying system files, establishing persistent backdoors, or even escalating privileges to root access depending on the web server configuration. The vulnerability affects both details.php and startpop.php endpoints, indicating a widespread flaw in the application's input handling mechanisms that could be leveraged to gain complete control over the affected system. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK framework as T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Shell Script) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), representing the exploitation of weak input validation to achieve unauthorized system access. The impact on organizations using affected versions of TorrentFlux could include complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential use as a staging ground for further attacks within network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization measures to prevent command injection attacks. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation that filters out or escapes shell metacharacters from user inputs before processing, particularly when these inputs are destined for shell execution contexts. The recommended approach includes implementing proper input sanitization routines that remove or encode dangerous characters such as backticks, semicolons, pipes, and ampersands. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the original TorrentFlux 2.2 release contains multiple security flaws that compound the risk. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable application, while regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar input validation issues in other web applications. The use of web application firewalls and input validation libraries can provide additional layers of protection against similar command injection attacks, and system administrators should monitor for unusual process execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.