CVE-2006-6958 in PHP Blue Dragon
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in phpBlueDragon 2.9.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the vsDragonRootPath parameter to (1) team_admin.php, (2) rss_admin.php, (3) manual_admin.php, and (4) forum_admin.php in includes/root_modules/, a different set of vectors than CVE-2006-3076.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-6958 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in phpBlueDragon version 2.9.1 that exposes multiple attack vectors through administrative interfaces. This vulnerability specifically targets four distinct PHP files within the includes/root_modules/ directory structure, namely team_admin.php, rss_admin.php, manual_admin.php, and forum_admin.php. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious URLs into the vsDragonRootPath parameter, enabling arbitrary code execution on the affected server. This issue falls under the category of CWE-88, known as "Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command," and more specifically aligns with CWE-94, "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" which directly relates to the execution of unauthorized PHP code through parameter manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input passed through the vsDragonRootPath parameter. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it as the vsDragonRootPath value, the application incorporates this external resource into its execution flow without adequate security controls. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects administrative modules, which typically operate with elevated privileges and can provide attackers with comprehensive control over the application's functionality. This attack vector differs significantly from CVE-2006-3076, indicating that while both vulnerabilities involve remote file inclusion, they target different code paths and implementation flaws within the software.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates severe security implications for any system running phpBlueDragon 2.9.1 with exposed administrative interfaces. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious PHP code remotely, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of backdoors. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as administrators may inadvertently include malicious content from compromised third-party servers, making the attack surface even more expansive. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, "Exploit Public-Facing Application," and T1059.007, "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP," as it enables attackers to exploit publicly accessible web applications and execute PHP-based payloads.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures throughout the application's codebase. System administrators should ensure that all user-supplied input, particularly parameters used in file inclusion operations, undergo strict validation before processing. The recommended approach includes implementing whitelisting mechanisms for file paths, using absolute path validation, and employing secure coding practices that prevent dynamic inclusion of external resources. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter values, and conduct comprehensive code reviews to identify similar patterns that might exist in other parts of the application. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping software components updated and following secure development lifecycle practices to prevent such injection flaws from occurring in future releases.