CVE-2026-28411 in WeGIA
Summary
by MITRE • 02/28/2026
WeGIA is a web manager for charitable institutions. Prior to version 3.6.5, an unsafe use of the `extract()` function on the `$_REQUEST` superglobal allows an unauthenticated attacker to overwrite local variables in multiple PHP scripts. This vulnerability can be leveraged to completely bypass authentication checks, allowing unauthorized access to administrative and protected areas of the WeGIA application. Version 3.6.5 fixes the issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2026
The CVE-2026-28411 vulnerability affects WeGIA, a web management platform designed for charitable institutions that handles sensitive organizational data and administrative functions. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the application's input handling mechanisms that directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the system. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 3.6.5, indicating that the developers were aware of the issue and implemented a fix in their subsequent release. The flaw specifically targets the application's use of PHP's extract() function, which is inherently dangerous when used improperly with superglobal arrays like $_REQUEST. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper input sanitization and variable management practices that are essential for web application security.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the unsafe usage of PHP's extract() function which processes variables from arrays and creates local variables based on array keys. When this function is applied to the $_REQUEST superglobal without proper validation or sanitization, it allows attackers to inject arbitrary variables into the script's namespace. This creates a scenario where attacker-controlled data from HTTP requests can directly manipulate local variables within the application's PHP scripts. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects multiple PHP scripts within the application, amplifying its impact and potential attack surface. The use of $_REQUEST, which combines data from GET, POST, and COOKIE parameters, provides attackers with multiple vectors for exploitation and makes the vulnerability more difficult to detect and prevent.
The operational impact of CVE-2026-28411 is severe and directly compromises the application's authentication mechanisms. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to completely bypass authentication checks and gain unauthorized access to administrative and protected areas of the WeGIA application. This allows for full administrative control over charitable institution data, potentially enabling data theft, modification of sensitive records, deletion of critical information, and unauthorized financial transactions. The vulnerability undermines the core security model of the application, as it allows attackers to escalate privileges without requiring valid credentials or authentication tokens. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as the attacker could potentially modify the application's behavior, install malicious code, or establish persistent access through the compromised administrative interface.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-115, which specifically addresses the unsafe use of the extract() function in PHP applications, and represents a classic example of improper input validation and variable handling. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers the use of legitimate credentials to gain access to systems, as the vulnerability allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms entirely. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices and violates fundamental security principles such as the principle of least privilege and input validation. Organizations using WeGIA versions prior to 3.6.5 should immediately implement the recommended patch to address this vulnerability. The fix implemented in version 3.6.5 likely involves proper input sanitization, removal of unsafe extract() usage, or implementation of stricter variable management practices. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their WeGIA installations, review all input handling mechanisms, and implement proper monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the dangers of using deprecated or unsafe functions in web applications.