CVE-2006-7119 in PHPGiggle
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in kernel/system/startup.php in J. He PHPGiggle 12.08 and earlier, as distributed on comscripts.com, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the CFG_PHPGIGGLE_ROOT parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-7119 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw in PHPGiggle version 12.08 and earlier, distributed through comscripts.com. This security weakness resides within the kernel/system/startup.php file, specifically in how the application handles the CFG_PHPGIGGLE_ROOT parameter. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious URLs that are then processed by the PHP interpreter, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input parameters before incorporating them into file inclusion operations, directly violating fundamental security principles of input validation and secure coding practices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the inherent trust placed in user input within the application's configuration handling mechanism. When the CFG_PHPGIGGLE_ROOT parameter is passed to the startup.php script, the application performs a direct include operation without adequate sanitization of the input value. This allows an attacker to supply a remote URL as the parameter value, which gets executed by the PHP interpreter as if it were a local file path. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-98, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, "Exploit Public-Facing Application" through the use of remote file inclusion attacks. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and proper parameter sanitization that has been consistently identified as a primary vector for web application compromises.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise potential. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can gain unauthorized access to the web server hosting PHPGiggle, potentially leading to data theft, system modification, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring local system access or credentials. This makes it particularly dangerous for public-facing web applications, as it can be exploited by anyone who knows the target application's URL structure. The severity is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability affects versions distributed through a well-known software repository, indicating potential widespread exposure across multiple systems that may not be regularly updated or patched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-7119 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and parameter sanitization. The primary remediation involves implementing strict input validation on the CFG_PHPGIGGLE_ROOT parameter to ensure that only trusted local file paths are accepted, while rejecting any external URLs or remote resource references. Security practitioners should implement a whitelist approach for valid input values and employ proper parameter sanitization techniques to prevent malicious URLs from being processed. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version that properly validates all user-supplied input before any file inclusion operations occur. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, while conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation process should include comprehensive code review to ensure no other similar input validation flaws exist within the application's codebase, following established security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure coding practices.