CVE-2006-0959 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in misc.php in MyBulletinBoard (MyBB) 1.03, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands by setting the comma variable value via the comma parameter in a cookie. NOTE: 1.04 has also been reported to be affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-0959 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within MyBulletinBoard version 1.03 and potentially 1.04, exploiting a fundamental security weakness in how the application handles user input through cookie parameters. This vulnerability specifically targets the misc.php file within the MyBB framework and becomes exploitable when the PHP configuration setting register_globals is enabled, creating a dangerous condition where cookie values are automatically imported into the global namespace. The attack vector involves manipulating the comma parameter within HTTP cookies, which when processed by the vulnerable application, translates user-controlled input directly into SQL query execution contexts without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the dangerous practice of register_globals, a deprecated PHP feature that automatically creates global variables from GET, POST, and cookie data. When enabled, this configuration allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code through the comma parameter in cookies, bypassing normal input validation mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates a classic SQL injection pattern where user-supplied data flows directly into database queries, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses in software that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, unauthorized administrative access, and potential lateral movement within affected systems. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive user information including passwords, personal data, and forum content, while also potentially gaining persistent access to the compromised forum infrastructure. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but entire forum communities, as the exploitation could lead to widespread data breaches and service disruption. Organizations running MyBB versions 1.03 or 1.04 with register_globals enabled face significant risk of compromise, as this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or specialized knowledge of the system's internal workings.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate exposure and underlying architectural weaknesses. The most critical remediation involves disabling the register_globals PHP configuration setting, which immediately eliminates the attack vector by preventing automatic global variable creation from cookie data. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries in the affected misc.php file would prevent malicious SQL code from being executed even if the register_globals configuration remains enabled. Security measures should include regular application updates to newer MyBB versions that have addressed this vulnerability, comprehensive security audits of PHP configurations, and implementation of web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious cookie parameter values. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1190 for Proxying, as attackers often use modified cookie values to establish persistent access. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications that may be similarly configured with dangerous PHP settings.