CVE-2006-2251 in Invision Community Blog
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the do_mmod function in mod.php in Invision Community Blog (ICB) 1.1.2 final through 1.2 allows remote attackers with moderator privileges to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the selectedbids parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2251 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Invision Community Blog (ICB) platform version 1.1.2 final through 1.2. This security weakness resides in the do_mmod function located within the mod.php file, which processes administrative moderation operations. The flaw specifically affects users who possess moderator privileges, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system and execute unauthorized SQL commands. The vulnerability manifests through the selectedbids parameter, which is improperly handled during the processing of batch moderation operations. This parameter typically receives identifiers for blog entries that moderators wish to modify in bulk, but the application fails to properly sanitize or validate this input before incorporating it into SQL queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic SQL injection vector where user-controllable input directly influences database query construction without adequate sanitization measures. When a moderator performs batch operations on blog entries, the selectedbids parameter is expected to contain a list of numeric identifiers. However, the application does not validate that this parameter contains only expected numeric values or properly escape special characters that could alter the intended SQL syntax. This lack of input validation creates an environment where an attacker can inject malicious SQL code through the parameter, potentially gaining unauthorized access to database contents, modifying or deleting records, or even escalating privileges within the system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires only moderator-level access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who already have elevated permissions within the platform's security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it enables attackers to potentially manipulate the entire blogging platform's content management system. A successful exploitation could result in unauthorized modification of blog posts, deletion of critical content, user account manipulation, or even database enumeration that reveals sensitive information about the platform's structure. The attack surface is limited to users with moderator privileges, but in many implementations, these accounts may have significant influence over content management and user interactions. The vulnerability could be leveraged to create persistent backdoors, alter moderation workflows, or corrupt the integrity of the entire blog platform. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact vector that requires minimal reconnaissance and can be automated to affect multiple blog entries simultaneously.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application's codebase. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing the selectedbids parameter to ensure it contains only valid numeric identifiers before incorporating it into any SQL operations. This approach aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, and follows the principle of least privilege by ensuring that all user inputs are properly validated regardless of their source or assumed trust level. Implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries would eliminate the risk of SQL injection by separating the SQL command structure from the data being processed. Additionally, the application should enforce stricter access controls and audit logging for moderation activities, particularly batch operations that involve multiple entries. Regular security code reviews and input validation testing should be implemented as part of the development lifecycle to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to the ATT&CK framework's defense-in-depth principles, where multiple layers of security controls should be implemented to protect against various attack vectors, including those that exploit privilege escalation opportunities within legitimate administrative functions.