CVE-2006-1012 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in WordPress 1.5.2, and possibly other versions before 2.0, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the User-Agent field in an HTTP header for a comment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-1012 represents a critical sql injection flaw that affected WordPress versions up to 1.5.2 and potentially earlier releases. This vulnerability resides in the comment handling mechanism of the content management system where the application fails to properly sanitize user input originating from http headers. The specific attack vector targets the user-agent field within http requests that are processed when users submit comments on wordpress powered websites. This represents a classic sql injection vulnerability where malicious input can be executed within the database context, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information and potentially full system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within wordpress's comment processing code. When a user submits a comment through a web form, the application typically stores various http header information including the user-agent string for logging and tracking purposes. In vulnerable versions, the user-agent string was directly incorporated into sql queries without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms. This flaw aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities, where untrusted data flows directly into sql command construction without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through remote network access, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and unauthorized administrative access. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive database information including user credentials, administrative passwords, and other confidential data stored within the wordpress database. The attack requires minimal privileges as it operates over standard http protocols and does not require authentication to the target system. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to automated exploitation tools and represents a significant risk for wordpress installations that were not promptly updated following the vulnerability disclosure. The potential for privilege escalation exists as attackers could manipulate the sql queries to gain administrative access to the wordpress installation and potentially compromise the underlying server.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates and input validation improvements. The most effective solution involves upgrading to wordpress version 2.0 or later where the sql injection vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and parameterized query implementation. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates. Network level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth by filtering malicious user-agent strings before they reach the application layer. Input validation measures including proper escaping of special characters and implementing prepared statements for all database queries should be enforced across all application components. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development, as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including those referenced in the ATT&CK framework for defensive measures against such exploitation techniques.