CVE-2006-1817 in warforge.NEWS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in authcheck.php in warforge.NEWS 1.0, with magic_quotes_gpc disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) authusername and possibly the (2) authpassword cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1817 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in the warforge.NEWS 1.0 content management system that specifically targets the authcheck.php authentication script. This vulnerability arises from the application's failure to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into SQL query constructs, creating an exploitable condition that directly impacts the system's authentication mechanism. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates within the core authentication flow where user credentials are processed, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's reliance on user-supplied cookie values without adequate input validation or sanitization. When the authcheck.php script processes the authusername and authpassword cookies, it directly incorporates these values into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization techniques. This design flaw allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax through the cookie values, effectively bypassing authentication mechanisms and potentially gaining full administrative control over the affected system. The vulnerability is specifically exacerbated when the PHP configuration has magic_quotes_gpc disabled, which removes an important mitigation layer that would otherwise escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass to encompass potential data compromise and system infiltration. An attacker exploiting this flaw can execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially extracting sensitive information, modifying user accounts, or even deleting critical system data. The remote nature of this attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive user information or business-critical data. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in software applications that fail to properly escape or parameterize user input before database operations.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of SQL injection attacks to gain access to databases and extract sensitive information. The attack surface is broad as the vulnerability affects the core authentication system, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and move laterally within the network infrastructure. Organizations running warforge.NEWS 1.0 systems should immediately implement mitigations including disabling the vulnerable application, applying patches if available, or implementing input validation at the web application firewall level. The recommended defensive measures include implementing proper parameterized queries, enabling magic_quotes_gpc if possible, and conducting thorough input validation for all cookie and form data to prevent malicious SQL injection payloads from being executed against the database backend.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and highlights how seemingly minor configuration issues can create significant security risks. The combination of weak input validation and the absence of proper SQL query parameterization creates a dangerous attack vector that directly compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the affected system. Organizations should prioritize addressing such vulnerabilities through comprehensive security assessments and implement robust security controls including regular code reviews, automated vulnerability scanning, and proper application security training for development teams to prevent similar issues from occurring in future applications.