CVE-2006-6727 in inertianews
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in inertianews_class.php in inertianews 0.02 beta and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the DOCUMENT_ROOT parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-6727 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting the inertianews 0.02 beta and earlier versions. This security weakness resides within the inertianews_class.php script where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into file operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the DOCUMENT_ROOT parameter which is manipulated by remote attackers to inject malicious URLs that point to external PHP scripts. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure direct object references and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's reliance on user-controllable parameters without adequate sanitization measures. When the DOCUMENT_ROOT parameter is processed by the inertianews_class.php script, it directly incorporates the supplied value into file inclusion operations without proper validation. This creates an environment where attackers can manipulate the parameter to reference external URLs containing malicious PHP code. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary code on the target server with the privileges of the web application. According to the CWE catalog, this vulnerability maps to CWE-98 which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and specifically relates to the improper handling of file inclusion parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially devastating for affected systems. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to execute malicious code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or service disruption. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to installing backdoors, exfiltrating sensitive data, or using the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The ease of exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it requires minimal technical skill to exploit and can be automated through various attack frameworks. This vulnerability directly maps to several tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as attackers can establish persistent access through the executed malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6727 require immediate remediation efforts focusing on input validation and secure coding practices. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation by sanitizing all user inputs and rejecting any values that contain suspicious characters or patterns. The most effective fix involves removing the vulnerable file inclusion functionality entirely or implementing strict whitelisting of allowed file paths. Additionally, developers should employ secure coding practices such as using include_once or require_once functions with predefined, validated file paths rather than allowing dynamic parameter injection. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests containing malicious URL patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding guidelines and demonstrates the critical need for regular security assessments to identify and remediate such flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Regular patch management and software updates should be prioritized to ensure that vulnerable applications are kept current with security fixes.