CVE-2004-1406 in Ikonboard
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in ikonboard.cgi in Ikonboard 3.1.0 through 3.1.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) st or (2) keywords parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1406 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Ikonboard bulletin board software version 3.1.0 through 3.1.3. This vulnerability specifically targets the ikonboard.cgi script which serves as the primary interface for user interactions and database operations within the application. The flaw exists in the manner in which user-supplied input is processed and incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the st and keywords parameters to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed against the underlying database system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper query construction practices within the Ikonboard application. When users submit search queries through the st or keywords parameters, the application directly incorporates these values into SQL statements without any form of escaping or parameter binding. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is concatenated into SQL commands. The vulnerability creates a direct pathway for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute destructive operations on the database server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with comprehensive database access capabilities that can compromise the entire application infrastructure. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to user enumeration, password extraction, data modification, and potentially complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Ikonboard system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on this bulletin board software for communication and collaboration. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where attackers target web applications for initial access and privilege escalation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements, and application of security patches from the vendor. The recommended defensive measures include deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block SQL injection attempts, conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, and implementing proper access controls and database permissions to limit the impact of successful attacks. Additionally, organizations should consider migrating to more secure and modern bulletin board solutions that have been designed with proper security practices and have undergone security auditing to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future.