CVE-2006-5291: PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in admin/includes/spaw/spaw_control.class.php in Download-Engine 1.4.2

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2006-5291 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting downloadengine. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in admin/includes/spaw/spaw_control.class.php in Download-Engine 1.4.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the spaw_root parameter. NOTE: CVE analysis suggests that this issue is actually in a third party product, SPAW Editor PHP Edition, so this issue is probably a duplicate of CVE-2006-4656.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	4.7% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-94
Published	2006-10-16
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: alex

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2006-10-16 18:07 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:30 UTCUpdated Record last modified

alex downloadengine DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.4.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.4.2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy downloadengine || rpm -q downloadengine || downloadengine --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.4.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison downloadengine sudo apt install downloadengine=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.2> sudo apt-mark hold downloadengine

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list downloadengine sudo dnf downgrade downloadengine-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.2> sudo dnf versionlock add downloadengine

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Download-Engine 1.4.2 - 'spaw' Remote File Inclusion
Exploit-DB: SL_Site 1.0 - 'spaw_root' Remote File Inclusion

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2006-5291?

downloadengine: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2006-5291 being exploited?

CVE-2006-5291 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2006-5291 affect?

CVE-2006-5291 affects downloadengine. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in admin/includes/spaw/spaw_control.class.php in Download-Engine 1.4.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the spaw_root parameter. NOTE: CVE analysis suggests that thi

How urgent is CVE-2006-5291?

Priority 54/100. High severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2006-5459 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Multiple PHP remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in Download-Engine 1.4.2 and earlier allow remote attackers

References

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