CVE-2006-0219 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
The original distribution of MyBulletinBoard (MyBB) to update from older versions to 1.0.2 omits or includes older versions of certain critical files, which allows attackers to conduct (1) SQL injection attacks via an attachment name that is not properly handled by inc/functions_upload.php (CVE-2005-4602), and possibly (2) other attacks related to threadmode in usercp.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-0219 represents a critical security flaw in MyBulletinBoard version 1.0.2 that stems from improper file management during the upgrade process from older versions. This issue exposes the bulletin board system to significant attack vectors due to the inclusion or omission of outdated components that contain known security weaknesses. The vulnerability specifically affects the update mechanism of MyBB, where certain critical files are not properly replaced or removed during the upgrade procedure, leaving behind components that contain exploitable code patterns.
The primary technical flaw manifests in the inc/functions_upload.php file which fails to properly sanitize attachment names before processing them in database operations. This weakness creates a direct pathway for SQL injection attacks as demonstrated by CVE-2005-4602, where maliciously crafted attachment names can be manipulated to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database layer. The improper handling of user input in this context allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, or potentially gain full administrative control over the bulletin board system. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which identifies SQL injection as a critical weakness in software applications that fail to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple SQL injection to potentially encompass additional attack vectors related to threadmode functionality in usercp.php. This broader scope suggests that attackers may be able to leverage the compromised upgrade process to execute other types of attacks including but not limited to cross-site scripting, privilege escalation, or denial of service conditions. The presence of multiple attack vectors within a single vulnerability demonstrates the cascading nature of security flaws that can emerge from poor software maintenance and upgrade procedures. Organizations running affected MyBB versions face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized access, and potential system compromise that could affect thousands of users depending on the scale of the bulletin board deployment.
Security professionals should immediately implement mitigation strategies including comprehensive file integrity checks, thorough removal of outdated components during upgrade procedures, and implementation of proper input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure software development practices and maintaining strict version control during system updates. Organizations should conduct immediate vulnerability assessments to identify any compromised installations and ensure that all critical files are properly updated to their latest secure versions. The incident also highlights the necessity of adhering to ATT&CK framework principles regarding privilege escalation and credential access, as the vulnerability could potentially enable attackers to move laterally within affected systems. Regular security audits and automated patch management systems should be implemented to prevent similar issues from arising in future software deployments.