CVE-2006-2130 in Advanced Poll
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in include/class_poll.php in Advanced Poll 2.0.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the User-Agent HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2130 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Advanced Poll 2.0.4 web application, specifically targeting the include/class_poll.php file. This vulnerability resides in the application's input validation mechanisms and demonstrates a classic weakness in how user-supplied data is processed and integrated into database queries. The flaw is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code through the User-Agent HTTP header, which is a standard HTTP request header typically used by web browsers to identify themselves to web servers. This attack vector leverages the fact that the application fails to properly sanitize or escape input data before incorporating it into SQL statements, creating an environment where malicious actors can manipulate the database query execution flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling within the class_poll.php file where the User-Agent header value is directly used in SQL query construction without adequate sanitization measures. When a remote attacker sends a specially crafted User-Agent header containing SQL injection payload, the application processes this input without proper validation, allowing the malicious code to be executed within the database context. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper escaping or parameterization. The attack scenario involves an attacker sending an HTTP request with a modified User-Agent header containing SQL commands that are then executed by the web application's database layer, potentially allowing full database access or manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or corruption, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform complete database compromise operations. Remote attackers could potentially extract sensitive information from the database, modify or delete records, create new database users with elevated privileges, or even execute operating system commands if the database server allows such functionality. The vulnerability affects any system running Advanced Poll 2.0.4 where the User-Agent header is processed without proper input validation, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where the application handles sensitive polling data or user information. The attack surface is broad since User-Agent headers are routinely sent by web browsers, proxies, and automated tools, making this vulnerability exploitable through various attack vectors without requiring user interaction or specific authentication.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability must address the fundamental input validation failure that enables the attack. The primary remediation involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements throughout the application code to ensure that user-supplied data cannot alter the structure of SQL commands. Additionally, input sanitization measures should be implemented to filter or escape special characters that could be used in SQL injection attacks. The application should also employ proper output encoding when displaying data retrieved from the database to prevent secondary injection attacks. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious User-Agent headers, though this represents a defensive measure rather than a root cause fix. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive input validation and proper database access controls to prevent unauthorized data manipulation and access.