CVE-2006-1853 in ModernBill
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in ModernBill 4.3.2 and earlier allow remote attackers or administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) id parameter in (a) user.php, or (2) where and (3) order parameters to (b) admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1853 represents a critical security flaw in ModernBill version 4.3.2 and earlier, exposing the application to remote code execution through multiple SQL injection vectors. This vulnerability affects the web-based billing system commonly used by hosting providers and telecommunications companies, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on such infrastructure. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling within the application's database interaction mechanisms, creating pathways for malicious actors to manipulate underlying SQL queries.
The technical exploitation occurs through three distinct parameters that fail to properly sanitize user input before incorporating them into database queries. The first vector involves the id parameter in user.php, where an attacker can inject malicious SQL code through a single parameter value that gets directly embedded into the SQL statement without proper escaping or parameterization. The second and third vectors target the where and order parameters in admin.php respectively, demonstrating that the vulnerability is not isolated to a single component but affects multiple modules within the application's administrative interface. These parameters are particularly dangerous because they control query filtering and sorting logic, allowing attackers to construct complex SQL injection payloads that can bypass authentication, extract sensitive data, or even modify database records.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database server. This means that unauthorized users could potentially gain administrative privileges, access confidential customer information, modify billing records, or even delete critical database entries. The vulnerability affects both remote attackers who can exploit it from outside the network and administrators who might inadvertently introduce malicious input through compromised accounts. Given that ModernBill is typically deployed in environments where sensitive financial and personal data is stored, the potential for data breaches and financial fraud is substantial. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that these vulnerabilities exist in the administrative interface, which often has elevated privileges and access to more sensitive data than regular user interfaces.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a database access technique under the privilege escalation and data extraction phases, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to gain deeper system access. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper access controls. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to a patched version of ModernBill, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Additionally, developers should follow secure coding practices that prevent SQL injection by using prepared statements and input sanitization techniques, as recommended by OWASP and other security standards organizations.