CVE-2006-2061 in IP.Board
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in lib/func_taskmanager.php in Invision Power Board (IPB) 2.1.x and 2.0.x before 20060425 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the ck parameter, which can inject at most 32 characters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2061 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Invision Power Board content management system, specifically affecting versions 2.1.x and 2.0.x prior to the 20060425 release. This vulnerability resides in the lib/func_taskmanager.php file, which serves as a critical component for task management operations within the IPB framework. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the ck parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database layer. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the ck parameter within the task manager functionality, allowing attackers to inject SQL commands that can execute with the privileges of the database user account used by the IPB application. While the injection is limited to a maximum of 32 characters, this constraint does not sufficiently mitigate the potential damage, as attackers can craft malicious payloads within these limitations to achieve database enumeration, data extraction, modification, or even complete database compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices within the application's security architecture, as the system does not implement proper parameterized queries or input sanitization mechanisms to prevent malicious SQL code from being executed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges within the application's database environment. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to user credentials, forum data, configuration settings, and potentially allow attackers to establish persistent backdoors or further compromise the hosting environment. The vulnerability affects a wide range of IPB installations, particularly those running the affected versions, making it a significant concern for organizations that relied on this forum software for community engagement and content management. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control through database manipulation and credential access through data exfiltration, representing a critical threat to the confidentiality and integrity of the affected systems.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate application of the vendor-provided patch released on April 25, 2006, which addresses the input sanitization issue in the func_taskmanager.php file. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries and input validation mechanisms throughout their applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Security teams should conduct comprehensive code reviews focusing on database query construction and input handling practices, while also implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection attempts. The vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the importance of input validation and the critical need for regular security updates in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive user data and community content.