CVE-2006-6593 in AMAZONIA MOD
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in zufallscodepart.php in AMAZONIA MOD for phpBB allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the phpbb_root_path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-6593 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the AMAZONIA MOD for phpBB software ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically targets the zufallscodepart.php component where improper input validation allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary URLs into the phpbb_root_path parameter. The flaw exists at the intersection of insecure coding practices and the inherent trust placed in user-supplied data within web applications. When exploited, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected server, fundamentally compromising the system's integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate file inclusion mechanisms that phpBB applications expect to function properly, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic remote file inclusion attack vector where an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it as the phpbb_root_path parameter to the vulnerable zufallscodepart.php script. This parameter is then used in a file inclusion directive such as include or require, allowing the attacker's remote code to be executed within the context of the web server process. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper input sanitization and validation, which violates fundamental security principles outlined in the CWE-98 weakness category for insecure direct object references and CWE-20 for improper input validation. This flaw demonstrates a critical failure in the application's security architecture where user-controllable input directly influences the execution flow of the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected phpBB installation and potentially the underlying server infrastructure. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to upload additional malicious files, establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, or exfiltrate sensitive data from the database and user accounts. The compromised system becomes a potential launching point for further attacks within the network, as phpBB installations often contain valuable user credentials, forum content, and administrative access information. This vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to perform reconnaissance activities, deploy malware, or use the compromised server for distributed denial-of-service attacks, making it a significant threat to both individual users and organizations relying on phpBB forums.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar flaws from occurring. The most effective immediate solution involves updating the AMAZONIA MOD to a patched version that properly validates and sanitizes the phpbb_root_path parameter, ensuring that only trusted local paths are accepted. Organizations should implement input validation controls that reject any URL schemes or external references in parameters that influence file inclusion operations, aligning with the defensive programming principles recommended in the OWASP Top Ten security controls. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious parameter values, while also applying principle of least privilege access controls to limit the damage potential if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and code reviews to identify and remediate similar insecure coding practices that could expose other components of the application stack to similar threats.