CVE-2006-6795 in Myphpnuke My Egallery
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in gallery/displayCategory.php in the My_eGallery 2.5.6 module in myPHPNuke (MPN) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the basepath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6795 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw within the My_eGallery 2.5.6 module of myPHPNuke, specifically affecting the gallery/displayCategory.php script. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied data from being processed as part of file inclusion operations. The issue manifests when the basepath parameter is manipulated by an attacker to reference external URLs, enabling the execution of arbitrary PHP code on the target system. Such vulnerabilities fall under the category of CWE-98, which describes improper control of code generation and execution, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for server-side include attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious URL that targets the vulnerable basepath parameter within the displayCategory.php script. When the application processes this parameter without proper validation, it inadvertently includes and executes the remote file specified by the attacker, effectively allowing for remote code execution. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to implement proper input sanitization, validation, or whitelisting mechanisms that would prevent external URLs from being processed as legitimate file paths. This flaw creates an attack surface where malicious actors can leverage the remote inclusion capability to execute arbitrary commands, potentially gaining full control over the affected web server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the web server process. This can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and the establishment of persistent backdoors. Attackers can use this vulnerability to deploy web shells, steal sensitive information, modify or delete files, and potentially use the compromised system as a launchpad for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire web application environment, as it allows unauthorized access to the underlying system resources and potentially exposes sensitive user data stored within the myPHPNuke platform. Organizations running affected versions of myPHPNuke are particularly vulnerable to sophisticated attacks that leverage this remote code execution capability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6795 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected myPHPNuke module to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability. System administrators should implement input validation and sanitization measures that prevent external URLs from being processed within file inclusion contexts, including the implementation of strict parameter validation and the use of allowlists for acceptable file paths. Network security controls such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block malicious requests containing suspicious URL patterns in the basepath parameter. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other potential remote file inclusion vulnerabilities within their web applications and implement secure coding practices that prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The vulnerability underscores the importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, as well as the necessity of regular security updates and vulnerability management processes to protect against known exploits.