CVE-2006-2067 in MKPortal
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in vb_board_functions.php in MKPortal 1.1, as used with vBulletin 3.5.4 and earlier, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the userid parameter.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2067 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the MKPortal 1.1 component when integrated with vBulletin 3.5.4 and earlier versions. This vulnerability resides in the vb_board_functions.php file, which serves as a critical backend component for handling board functions within the vBulletin platform. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the userid parameter, creating an exploitable condition that enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the underlying database query execution process.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes sql injection as a fundamental weakness in application security where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. The attack vector operates through remote exploitation, allowing adversaries to manipulate the userid parameter in such a way that their malicious sql code gets executed within the database context. This occurs because the application performs direct string concatenation or interpolation of user-supplied data into sql queries rather than utilizing prepared statements or proper input validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise including unauthorized data modification, deletion, or extraction of sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access confidential user data, modify forum content, or even gain access to the underlying server through database-based attacks. The vulnerability affects the entire vBulletin ecosystem when MKPortal 1.1 is installed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across multiple forums using the affected versions. The impact is amplified by the fact that this vulnerability allows for arbitrary command execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform actions such as creating new administrative accounts, modifying user permissions, or extracting complete database schemas.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the MKPortal component to version 1.2 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and parameterized query mechanisms throughout their applications, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The remediation approach should follow established security practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, emphasizing the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments. Additionally, network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection while patches are being deployed, though these should not be considered complete solutions as they may not prevent all exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date third-party components and conducting regular security audits to identify and remediate similar sql injection vulnerabilities in legacy systems.