CVE-2006-2103 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in MyBB (MyBulletinBoard) 1.1.1 allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) query string ($querystring variable) in (a) admin/adminlogs.php, which is not properly handled by adminfunctions.php; or (2) setid, (3) expand, (4) title, or (5) sid2 parameters to (b) admin/templates.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2019
This vulnerability exists in MyBB version 1.1.1 and represents a critical sql injection flaw that affects authenticated administrator accounts. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the administrative interfaces of the bulletin board system. Attackers with administrative privileges can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database, potentially gaining complete control over the application's data and functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs in two primary locations within the administrative control panel. The first vector involves the query string parameter handled in admin/adminlogs.php where the $querystring variable is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into sql queries. This flaw is further exacerbated by the lack of proper input validation in adminfunctions.php which should have been responsible for sanitizing administrative inputs. The second vector affects admin/templates.php where multiple parameters including setid, expand, title, and sid2 are vulnerable to injection attacks when processed without adequate sanitization measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for any organization using MyBB 1.1.1. An authenticated attacker with administrative privileges can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive data including user credentials, personal information, and system configurations. Beyond data exfiltration, the attacker could modify database contents, create new administrative accounts, or even execute destructive operations that could compromise the entire bulletin board system. The vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor for complete database compromise and potential lateral movement within the affected infrastructure.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications. The attack pattern follows typical sql injection methodologies as outlined in the mitre ATT&CK framework under technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. The fact that this affects authenticated administrators makes it particularly dangerous as it bypasses many standard perimeter security controls that might protect against external sql injection attempts. Organizations should immediately implement input validation patches and consider implementing additional administrative controls such as least privilege access and enhanced monitoring of administrative activities.
The remediation approach requires immediate patching of the MyBB 1.1.1 software to the latest available version that addresses these sql injection vulnerabilities. System administrators should also implement proper parameterized queries in the affected php files to prevent future occurrences of similar flaws. Additional security measures including web application firewalls, database activity monitoring, and regular security assessments should be deployed to protect against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough audits of their administrative access controls and implement multi-factor authentication for all administrative accounts to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to privileged functions.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in administrative interfaces where users have elevated privileges. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data before database interactions, which has been a persistent issue in web application development. Security teams should treat this as a high-priority remediation item and ensure that all administrative functions undergo rigorous security testing including penetration testing and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.