CVE-2006-2209 in paCheckBook
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.php in PHP Arena paCheckBook 1.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the transtype parameter in an add action or (2) entry parameter in an edit action. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2209 represents a critical security flaw in PHP Arena paCheckBook version 1.1, specifically affecting the index.php script through multiple SQL injection vectors. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, creating an environment where malicious actors can manipulate database queries through carefully crafted inputs. The flaw manifests in two distinct attack vectors: one involving the transtype parameter during an add action and another through the entry parameter during an edit action, both of which directly influence how the application constructs and executes SQL commands against the underlying database system.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates as a classic SQL injection attack where insufficient input validation and sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code into the application's query execution flow. The transtype parameter in the add action and the entry parameter in the edit action serve as entry points where user input directly influences SQL statement construction without proper parameterization or input filtering. This creates a condition where an attacker can append additional SQL commands to the original query, potentially gaining unauthorized access to database contents, modifying data, or even executing administrative operations on the database server itself. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-89 SQL Injection, which is categorized as a high-risk weakness in the CWE dictionary due to its potential for severe data compromise and system exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to perform complete database compromise operations including data exfiltration, data manipulation, and privilege escalation. An attacker could potentially extract sensitive information from the database, modify existing records, or even gain administrative control over the database system. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects core application functionality through both add and edit operations, meaning that any user with access to these features could potentially exploit the flaw. This represents a significant risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the application's data, with potential for cascading effects if the compromised database contains related system information or user credentials.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent user-supplied data from being interpreted as SQL code. The recommended approach involves using prepared statements with parameter binding rather than direct string concatenation of user inputs into SQL queries, which directly addresses the root cause of the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization measures, including whitelisting acceptable input values and employing proper escape sequences for special SQL characters, would significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, along with regular security audits and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation efforts should align with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar injection attacks throughout the application architecture.