CVE-2006-0907 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in PHP-Nuke before 7.8 Patched 3.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via encoded /%2a (/*) sequences in the query string, which bypasses regular expressions that are intended to protect against SQL injection, as demonstrated via the kala parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2018
This vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in php-nuke versions prior to 7.8 patched 3.2 that specifically exploits the bypass of regular expression protections through encoded sql comment sequences. The vulnerability manifests when attackers utilize the encoded /* sequence represented as %2a in the query string to circumvent input validation mechanisms designed to prevent sql injection attacks. The attack vector specifically targets the kala parameter within the application's query processing logic, allowing remote threat actors to inject malicious sql commands without triggering standard detection measures that rely on regular expression patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input sanitization and validation within the php-nuke framework's parameter handling mechanisms. When the application processes the kala parameter containing encoded /* sequences, the regular expression filters fail to properly identify and neutralize these encoded sql comments that serve as effective bypass techniques for sql injection protection. This occurs because the filtering mechanisms do not account for url encoded representations of sql comment syntax, creating a gap in the security controls that should prevent malicious sql command execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or manipulation, as successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database server. This can result in complete database compromise including data exfiltration, unauthorized data modification, privilege escalation, and potential system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring local system access or credentials, making it particularly dangerous for web applications hosting sensitive data.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a variant of cwe-89 sql injection that specifically demonstrates bypass techniques using encoded sequences. The attack pattern aligns with tactics described in the mitre att&ck framework under initial access and execution phases where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to backend systems. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation, employ parameterized queries, and deploy web application firewalls to prevent such encoded sequence bypasses. Regular security updates and patch management processes become critical for maintaining protection against this and similar sql injection bypass techniques that exploit filtering mechanism weaknesses.
The remediation approach requires immediate patching of php-nuke installations to version 7.8 patched 3.2 or later, while also implementing additional defensive measures such as input encoding validation, proper sql query parameterization, and regular security testing. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify similar bypass techniques in other applications and ensure that input validation mechanisms properly handle all encoded representations of malicious payloads. This vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive security testing that includes encoded sequence testing and demonstrates why single-layer protections such as regular expression filtering are insufficient against sophisticated attack techniques.