CVE-2006-6740 in phpProfiles
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in phpProfiles 3.1.2b and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the menu parameter to (1) include/body.inc.php or (2) include/body_admin.inc.php; or a URL in the incpath parameter to (3) index.inc.php, (4) account.inc.php, (5) admin_newcomm.inc.php, (6) header_admin.inc.php, (7) header.inc.php, (8) friends.inc.php, (9) menu_u.inc.php, (10) notify.inc.php, (11) body.inc.php, (12) body_admin.inc.php, (13) commrecc.inc.php, (14) do_reg.inc.php, (15) comm_post.inc.php, or (16) menu_v.inc.php in include/, different vectors than CVE-2006-5634. 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 • 08/08/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-6740 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting phpProfiles version 3.1.2b and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and improper input validation, which are commonly classified as CWE-20 and CWE-94 respectively. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters that are directly incorporated into file inclusion operations without proper sanitization or validation. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating specific parameters in HTTP requests to inject malicious URLs that point to remote files containing arbitrary PHP code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through multiple entry points within the phpProfiles application's include directory. The primary attack vectors involve the menu parameter in body.inc.php and body_admin.inc.php files, as well as the incpath parameter across numerous PHP files including index.inc.php, account.inc.php, and various administrative components. When these parameters are processed, the application concatenates user input directly into file inclusion statements, creating an environment where remote code execution becomes possible. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server with the privileges of the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for any system running vulnerable versions of phpProfiles. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete control over the affected server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute malicious code, upload additional malware, modify or delete sensitive data, and establish persistent backdoors. Given that this vulnerability affects core application functionality and multiple files throughout the system, the attack surface is extensive and the potential for damage is significant. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system and can target vulnerable installations from anywhere on the internet.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must be implemented at multiple levels to ensure comprehensive protection. The most critical immediate action is to upgrade to a patched version of phpProfiles that addresses this vulnerability. Additionally, input validation and sanitization should be implemented to prevent user-supplied data from being directly used in file inclusion operations. The principle of least privilege should be applied by ensuring that web applications run with minimal required permissions and that file inclusion operations are restricted to predefined, trusted directories. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), highlighting the need for layered security approaches including network segmentation, regular security assessments, and proper application hardening practices. Organizations should also implement proper logging and monitoring to detect suspicious file inclusion activities and maintain up-to-date vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate similar issues in other applications.