CVE-2006-7019 in phpwcms
Summary
by MITRE
phpwcms 1.2.5-DEV and earlier, and 1.1 before RC4, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted arguments to the (1) text_evento and (2) email_eventonome_evento parameters to phpwcms_code_snippets/mail_file_form.php and sample_ext_php/mail_file_form.php, which is processed by the render_PHPcode function. 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 • 08/19/2018
This vulnerability exists in phpwcms versions 1.2.5-DEV and earlier, as well as version 1.1 before RC4, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically targets two parameters text_evento and email_eventonome_evento within the mail_file_form.php script located in both phpwcms_code_snippets and sample_ext_php directories. The flaw occurs because these parameters are processed through the render_PHPcode function without proper input validation or sanitization, creating an exploitation vector that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied input within the application's code rendering mechanism. When maliciously crafted arguments are passed to the affected parameters, the render_PHPcode function executes them as PHP code without adequate security checks or sanitization measures. This creates a classic command injection vulnerability where attacker-controlled input flows directly into the execution context, allowing for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the web application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application level and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations using affected phpwcms versions, as it enables full system compromise through remote code execution. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects both the core phpwcms application and its sample extensions, indicating a fundamental flaw in the input processing architecture that impacts multiple components of the system. The lack of input validation in the render_PHPcode function creates an attack surface that can be exploited for data theft, system modification, or complete system takeover, making it a high-priority remediation target.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" and T1059.006 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" within the attack chain. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of phpwcms, implementing input validation and sanitization measures, and applying web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious parameter values. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems within the infrastructure.