CVE-2006-7202 in Mambo
Summary
by MITRE
The dofreePDF function in includes/pdf.php in Mambo 4.6.1 does not properly check access rights for database content, which allows remote attackers to read certain content via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-7202 resides within the dofreePDF function of the includes/pdf.php file in Mambo 4.6.1 content management system. This represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security model of the application. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user permissions when processing database content for PDF generation, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure. The flaw is categorized under CWE-285, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, specifically within the context of database content access. This weakness allows remote attackers to exploit unspecified vectors to gain access to content that should be restricted to authorized users only, fundamentally compromising the integrity of the access control system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the PDF generation functionality where the dofreePDF function fails to validate whether the requesting user possesses adequate privileges to access the specific database records being processed. This oversight creates a scenario where malicious actors can manipulate the PDF generation process to retrieve sensitive information without proper authentication. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the inherent trust model of the CMS, where database queries are executed without proper authorization checks. According to ATT&CK framework, this maps to T1078 - Valid Accounts and T1566 - Phishing, as attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to protected content. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack paths may exist, potentially including parameter manipulation, session hijacking, or other exploitation techniques that bypass normal access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the security architecture of Mambo 4.6.1 installations. Remote attackers can potentially access confidential database content, including user information, administrative data, or sensitive business records that should remain protected. This compromise affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and can lead to further exploitation opportunities, as attackers may use the leaked information to plan more sophisticated attacks or gain additional system access. Organizations running this vulnerable version of Mambo face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences. The vulnerability also impacts the availability and integrity of the system, as unauthorized access to database content can result in data corruption or system instability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-7202 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper access control implementation. The primary solution involves patching the Mambo 4.6.1 installation with the appropriate security updates that correct the access control validation in the dofreePDF function. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control checks before executing any database queries for PDF generation, ensuring that user permissions are validated against the requested content. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to the PDF generation endpoints, while implementing proper input validation and sanitization to prevent parameter injection attacks. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their Mambo installations, review user access rights, and implement logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts. According to industry best practices and NIST guidelines, this vulnerability requires immediate remediation as it represents a critical security weakness that can be exploited without significant technical expertise. The fix should include proper authentication checks, authorization validation, and input sanitization to prevent similar access control bypass scenarios in other components of the application.