CVE-2006-6878 in PHP-Update
Summary
by MITRE
admin/uploads.php in PHP-Update 2.7 and earlier allows remote attackers to gain privileges by setting the rights[7] parameter to 1 during a login action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-6878 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the PHP-Update content management system version 2.7 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the admin/uploads.php component which handles file upload operations and user authentication processes. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and improper privilege handling during the login sequence, creating a pathway for remote attackers to elevate their access rights without proper authentication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of the rights[7] parameter within the login action process. When an attacker sets this specific parameter to the value of 1, the system incorrectly interprets this input as granting administrative privileges to the user attempting to log in. This parameter manipulation bypasses the normal authentication checks and privilege verification mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of improper access control where user-supplied input directly influences system permission settings without adequate sanitization or validation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability transforms a simple file upload functionality into a gateway for complete system compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to gain administrative access to the PHP-Update system, potentially leading to full control over the web server, database access, and the ability to modify or delete critical system files. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system or prior authentication credentials. This vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security model of the application by allowing unauthenticated privilege escalation.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, specifically targeting the weakness where applications fail to properly verify user permissions before granting access to restricted functions. This flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as the vulnerability enables attackers to effectively gain administrative privileges through manipulated parameters rather than legitimate authentication methods. The attack chain typically involves initial reconnaissance to identify the vulnerable system, followed by parameter manipulation to escalate privileges, and finally exploitation of the elevated access rights for further malicious activities.
Effective mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the PHP-Update system to version 2.8 or later where the privilege escalation flaw has been addressed. System administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those related to access control and privilege settings. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that file upload functions operate with minimal necessary permissions and that all parameter values are strictly validated against expected ranges before being processed. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and access control lists should also be deployed to monitor and restrict access to administrative endpoints, while regular security audits should verify that no other similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities exist within the system.