CVE-2006-1234 in DSCounter
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in DSCounter 1.2, with magic_quotes_gpc disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the X-Forwarded-For field (HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR environment variable) in an HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1234 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the DSCounter 1.2 web application's index.php script. This vulnerability specifically exploits the absence of proper input validation when processing the X-Forwarded-For HTTP header field, which is commonly used to identify the original IP address of a client connecting through a proxy server. The weakness becomes particularly dangerous when the web server's magic_quotes_gpc directive is disabled, removing a fundamental protection mechanism that would otherwise escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. This configuration leaves the application directly vulnerable to malicious input manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR environment variable, which is automatically populated by proxy servers and load balancers. When an attacker crafts a malicious HTTP request with a specially formatted X-Forwarded-For header, the application fails to sanitize this input before incorporating it into sql queries. The vulnerability maps to CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. The flaw demonstrates a classic sql injection vector where attacker-controlled data flows directly into database queries without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables full database compromise and potential system takeover. Remote attackers can execute arbitrary sql commands, potentially leading to data exfiltration, data modification, or complete database destruction. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system, with the severity amplified by the fact that it requires no authentication or privileged access to exploit. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized database operations, including but not limited to user enumeration, password extraction, and privilege escalation within the database context. The attack surface is particularly broad as HTTP headers are commonly used in web applications and are often processed without adequate sanitization checks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code, ensuring that all user-supplied data including HTTP headers is properly escaped or parameterized before database interaction. Organizations should also enable magic_quotes_gpc or implement equivalent protection mechanisms, though this approach is considered less robust than proper parameterization. Additionally, security headers should be configured to sanitize or reject suspicious HTTP headers, and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and block malicious header content. The implementation of principle of least privilege for database connections and regular security code reviews should complement these technical controls, while also ensuring that the application follows secure coding practices that prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future development cycles.