CVE-2006-6526 in Gizzar
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in index.php in Gizzar 03162002 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the basePath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6526 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Gizzar content management system version 03162002 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the index.php file and demonstrates a classic insecure direct object reference pattern that enables attackers to manipulate application behavior through malicious input. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input passed through the basePath parameter, creating an opportunity for remote code execution through the inclusion of arbitrary PHP files from external sources.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and more specifically to CWE-94, which addresses the execution of code from external sources without proper validation. The attack vector leverages the PHP include or require functions, which are commonly used to incorporate external files into the execution context of a web application. When these functions receive untrusted input that contains a URL, they execute the remote code as if it were part of the local application, effectively allowing attackers to inject malicious code that can be executed with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it enables arbitrary code execution, which can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent access to affected systems through the deployment of web shells or backdoors. The vulnerability affects any organization running Gizzar version 03162002 or earlier, creating a significant risk for websites that rely on this CMS for their web presence. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform reconnaissance, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within network environments, especially if the web server has access to internal resources or databases. The implications are particularly severe in environments where the web server process runs with elevated privileges or has access to sensitive data repositories.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6526 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of Gizzar that properly validates and sanitizes input parameters before processing them. Organizations should implement input validation controls that reject URLs containing suspicious patterns or external references, particularly when these parameters are used in file inclusion operations. The implementation of the principle of least privilege should be enforced by configuring web servers to operate with minimal required permissions and by using PHP configuration settings such as allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen to be disabled. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and implement proper network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect unusual file inclusion patterns and unauthorized code execution attempts, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and the need for comprehensive security testing, particularly in legacy applications that may not have been designed with modern security considerations in mind.