CVE-2006-0716 in sNews
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in sNews 1.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) category and (2) id parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0716 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the sNews 1.3 content management system, specifically affecting the index.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input parameters, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries. The affected parameters include both the category and id parameters, which are processed without adequate input validation or sanitization measures, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands that execute within the database context.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which defines sql injection as the insertion of malicious sql fragments into application input fields. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices where the application directly incorporates user-supplied data into sql query construction without proper escaping or parameterization techniques. The sNews 1.3 system fails to implement proper input sanitization mechanisms, enabling attackers to craft malicious payloads that bypass normal security controls and gain unauthorized access to the database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary sql commands remotely without requiring authentication. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, delete information, or even escalate privileges within the database system. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the content management system, potentially allowing complete compromise of the web application and underlying database infrastructure. Given that sNews was a widely used open source cms in 2006, this vulnerability exposed numerous websites to potential data breaches and system compromises.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends across all systems running sNews 1.3 where the index.php script processes user input through the category and id parameters. The exploitation requires minimal technical knowledge and can be automated using standard sql injection tools, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment. Security frameworks such as the mitre attack framework classify this as a command injection technique under the execution category, where attackers leverage the application's database connection to perform unauthorized operations. Organizations should immediately implement input validation controls, parameterized queries, and proper output encoding to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process requires updating to a patched version of sNews or implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious input patterns before they reach the vulnerable application code.