CVE-2006-6392 in plx Pay
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in plx Web Studio (aka plxWebDev) plx Pay 3.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files, or obtain user credentials and other sensitive information, via a .. (dot dot) in the read 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
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6392 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the plx Pay component of plx Web Studio version 3.2 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the index.php file and manifests through improper input validation when processing the read parameter. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate file paths by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences, effectively bypassing normal file access restrictions and gaining unauthorized access to the underlying file system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters. When the read parameter contains directory traversal sequences, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before using them in file operations. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to navigate through the file system hierarchy and access files that should remain protected, including configuration files, user credentials, and sensitive application data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to affected systems as it allows for arbitrary file inclusion and execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to read sensitive information such as user credentials, database connection details, and application configuration files. The potential for remote code execution through arbitrary file inclusion makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it could enable full system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges and establish persistent access to the affected web server.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is straightforward and requires no specialized tools beyond standard web browsing capabilities. Remote attackers can simply append directory traversal sequences to the read parameter in HTTP requests, making exploitation accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which describes the use of command and scripting interpreters for execution, as the ability to include local files could potentially lead to code execution. The vulnerability also connects to T1566, which covers the use of social engineering to gain access to systems, as attackers might use information obtained through this vulnerability to further compromise systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and access control restrictions. The most effective approach involves implementing strict input validation that rejects any input containing directory traversal sequences, particularly .. characters. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block such malicious patterns. Additionally, the affected plx Pay component should be updated to a patched version that properly validates all user-supplied inputs and implements proper path validation mechanisms. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly simple flaws can lead to significant security breaches.