CVE-2006-6864 in Coppermine Bridge
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in E2_header.inc.php in Enigma2 Coppermine Bridge 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the boarddir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6864 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in the Enigma2 Coppermine Bridge version 1.0, specifically within the E2_header.inc.php file. This weakness enables malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on vulnerable systems by manipulating the boarddir parameter through URL input. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before using it in file inclusion operations.
This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-98, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and more specifically aligns with CWE-88, "Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command ('Argument Injection')." The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the application's file inclusion logic by supplying a malicious URL in the boarddir parameter, effectively bypassing normal access controls and potentially gaining complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides remote attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code on the target system without requiring authentication. Attackers can leverage this weakness to upload and execute malicious scripts, gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects web applications that use the Enigma2 Coppermine Bridge framework, making it particularly dangerous for forums and content management systems that rely on this component for user authentication and session management.
The attack vector for CVE-2006-6864 follows the ATT&CK technique T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" and T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" where attackers can execute commands through the PHP interpreter. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution flaw that can be exploited through web-based interfaces, making it particularly attractive to automated exploitation tools and script kiddies. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security design.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the affected Enigma2 Coppermine Bridge component to version 1.1 or later, which addresses the input sanitization issues. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, including the use of allowlists for parameter values, proper URL encoding, and strict validation of file paths before inclusion operations. Additionally, web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious parameter values that could indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing secure coding practices that prevent dynamic file inclusion operations from accepting user-controllable input, thereby eliminating the attack surface entirely. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of keeping web applications updated and following secure coding guidelines as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework recommendations.