CVE-2006-6419 in Joomla Content Editor
Summary
by MITRE
jce.php in the JCE Admin Component in Ryan Demmer Joomla Content Editor (JCE) 1.1.0 beta 2 and earlier for Joomla! (com_jce) allows remote attackers to include and possibly execute arbitrary local files via the (1) plugin or (2) file 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 • 04/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6419 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the JCE Admin Component of Joomla Content Editor version 1.1.0 beta 2 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the jce.php file which serves as a core component of the com_jce extension, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise Joomla-based web environments. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to adequately restrict user-supplied parameters, creating an avenue for malicious exploitation through file inclusion attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves two primary attack vectors through the plugin and file parameters within the jce.php script. Attackers can manipulate these parameters to specify arbitrary local file paths that the application then attempts to include and execute. This type of flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, specifically in the context of file inclusion attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to leverage the application's file handling mechanisms to execute malicious code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack operates by tricking the application into processing user-controllable input as part of the file inclusion process, bypassing normal security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised server. This remote code execution capability allows adversaries to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the entire Joomla ecosystem where the JCE component is installed, making it particularly dangerous for organizations running multiple Joomla sites or those with shared hosting environments. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it especially attractive to threat actors seeking automated exploitation.
Security mitigations for CVE-2006-6419 should focus on immediate patching of the affected JCE component to version 1.1.0 stable or later, which contains proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation controls that prevent user-supplied input from being processed as file paths, particularly in contexts where file inclusion operations occur. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious requests containing potentially malicious file inclusion patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically focusing on PHP scripts, and represents a classic example of insecure direct object reference vulnerabilities that require robust input sanitization and access control mechanisms to prevent exploitation. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive security audits to identify any other components that may be vulnerable to similar file inclusion attacks and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent future incidents of this nature.