CVE-2006-7068 in Web Community
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in CliServ Web Community 0.65 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the cl_headers parameter to (1) menu.php3 and (2) login.php3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-7068 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting CliServ Web Community version 0.65 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within the cl_headers parameter, which is processed through two key script files: menu.php3 and login.php3. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize input parameters before incorporating them into file inclusion operations, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL and passes it through the cl_headers parameter to either menu.php3 or login.php3. The application processes this input without adequate sanitization, allowing the attacker to specify external URLs that contain malicious PHP code. When the web application attempts to include this remote file, the malicious code executes within the context of the web server, providing the attacker with unauthorized access to execute commands and potentially gain full control over the affected system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-88 category of Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command, specifically manifesting as a remote code execution vector through insecure file inclusion practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including data exfiltration, system compromise, and further lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects the core authentication and menu functionality of the CliServ Web Community, potentially allowing unauthorized users to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain administrative privileges. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent access, deploy backdoors, or use the compromised system as a staging ground for attacks against other network resources. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, and T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, demonstrating how such flaws can enable broader attack chains.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-7068 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and sanitization practices. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation to ensure that the cl_headers parameter only accepts expected input formats and rejects any attempts to include external URLs. The recommended approach involves disabling remote file inclusion functionality entirely by configuring the PHP environment to prevent remote file inclusion through directives such as allow_url_fopen and allow_url_include set to off. Additionally, input sanitization should be implemented at multiple layers including application-level validation, web application firewall rules, and network-level filtering to prevent malicious payloads from reaching the vulnerable endpoints. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar insecure coding practices that could lead to analogous remote file inclusion vulnerabilities within the application ecosystem, aligning with industry best practices for secure software development and defense-in-depth strategies.