CVE-2006-2018 in vBulletin
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in calendar.php in vBulletin 3.0.x allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the eventid parameter. NOTE: the affected version has been disputed by the vendor. It appears that this is the same issue as CVE-2004-0036, which was fixed in 2.3.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2018 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in the calendar.php component of vBulletin 3.0.x forums. This security weakness allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through the eventid parameter, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the calendar functionality, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database queries. The issue is particularly concerning as it affects a core forum component that handles calendar events and user interactions, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access to forum databases.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The flaw occurs when user-supplied input from the eventid parameter is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This allows attackers to craft malicious input that alters the intended database query execution flow, potentially leading to data extraction, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution vector through database manipulation places it within the ATT&CK framework under the T1190 technique for exploitation of vulnerabilities in remote services. The fact that this vulnerability was reportedly disputed by the vendor suggests potential confusion in version identification or duplicate reporting, though the underlying security flaw remains significant.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract user credentials, personal information, forum configurations, and potentially gain access to other systems connected to the same database infrastructure. The affected version's status as a legacy component increases the risk profile, as organizations may not have adequate security controls or patches in place for older software versions. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing proper input validation across all application interfaces, particularly those handling user-provided data in database contexts.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The recommended approach involves thorough code review and input sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in database operations. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other legacy components and ensure proper patch management processes are in place. The duplicate reporting with CVE-2004-0036 indicates the need for careful vendor communication and version verification during vulnerability assessment processes. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and database access controls can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that all application components are properly secured against common injection attacks.