CVE-2006-2333 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in MyBB (aka MyBulletinBoard) 1.1.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the e-mail address when registering for a forum that requires e-mail verification, which is not properly handled in (1) usercp.php and (2) member.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2333 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in MyBB version 1.1.1 that specifically targets the user registration process. This vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of email addresses provided during forum registration when email verification is required. The flaw exists in two primary files within the MyBB codebase: usercp.php and member.php, which handle user account management and member-related operations respectively. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs during a legitimate user interaction - the registration process - making it difficult to detect and exploit without proper monitoring.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a maliciously crafted email address during registration that contains SQL payload characters. The MyBB application fails to properly escape or sanitize the email input before incorporating it into SQL queries used for verification purposes. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that are then executed by the underlying database engine. The vulnerability is classified as a classic SQL injection attack that operates at the application layer, affecting the database communication between the web application and database server. According to CWE standards, this maps to CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Successful exploitation enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to reading sensitive user information, modifying user accounts, extracting database schema information, and potentially gaining complete control over the forum's data. Attackers could access private user data such as email addresses, usernames, and potentially passwords if stored in the database. The vulnerability also allows for privilege escalation attacks where attackers might gain administrative access to the forum, enabling them to modify forum settings, delete content, or create new administrator accounts. Furthermore, this vulnerability can be leveraged as a stepping stone for broader attacks against the hosting infrastructure or as part of a larger reconnaissance effort to identify other vulnerable systems within the same network.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to command and control, credential access, and privilege escalation. Attackers can use the SQL injection to extract database credentials, then leverage those credentials to access other systems or escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability also fits within the credential access category as it allows for unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially system-level privileges. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper database query construction as outlined in security best practices. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it occurs during a legitimate user registration process, making it harder to distinguish from normal application behavior and increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and parameterized queries throughout the MyBB application. The most effective approach involves updating to a patched version of MyBB that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the original version 1.1.1 contains multiple such issues. Organizations should implement proper input validation that filters out potentially malicious characters and employs prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection. Additional security measures include implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for unusual database access patterns, and conducting regular security audits of web applications. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper error handling to prevent information leakage that could aid attackers in their exploitation efforts.