CVE-2006-2217 in IP.Board
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in Invision Power Board allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the pid parameter in a reputation action. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2217 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Invision Power Board forum software, specifically affecting the index.php file during reputation action processing. This vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the pid parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the backend database query execution process. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and parameter handling mechanisms that allow attackers to manipulate the intended database operations by crafting malicious payloads within the reputation action requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the pid parameter in reputation actions, where the application directly incorporates user-supplied data into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a direct result of insufficient input validation and improper query construction practices. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, deletion, or even administrative command execution depending on the database privileges. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard web browser interactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database takeover, unauthorized user account access, data exfiltration, and potential system compromise. The attack surface is significant since reputation actions are commonly used features within forum environments, meaning that malicious actors could target users during normal forum interactions. This vulnerability also presents opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges, modify user permissions, or inject malicious content that could affect other forum users. From an attacker's perspective, the low complexity and high impact nature of this vulnerability makes it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools and script kiddies.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass multiple defensive layers including immediate patch application from the software vendor, implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries, and deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation process must include thorough testing to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions while maintaining the application's intended functionality. Additionally, implementing database access controls and monitoring mechanisms can provide early detection of unauthorized database activities, aligning with defensive practices recommended in the ATT&CK framework under the execution and credential access domains. Regular security training for development teams regarding secure coding practices and proper input sanitization techniques remains essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities in future software releases.