CVE-2006-2344 in AliPAGER
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in inc/elementz.php in AliPAGER 1.5, with magic_quotes_gpc disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the ubild parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2344 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the AliPAGER 1.5 web application, specifically affecting the inc/elementz.php script. This vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it occurs when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, removing a crucial built-in protection mechanism that would otherwise escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. This configuration setting, while deprecated in modern PHP versions, was commonly disabled in production environments where developers implemented their own input sanitization routines.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the ubild parameter, which serves as the attack vector for injecting malicious SQL code into the application's database layer. When an attacker submits crafted input through this parameter, the application processes the data without proper sanitization, allowing the malicious SQL commands to be executed within the context of the database connection. This creates a pathway for unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete database compromise and unauthorized administrative access to the application's backend systems. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to unauthorized database access, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and potential system compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to the application's data store, potentially accessing sensitive user information, configuration data, or other confidential resources stored within the database. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to carry out successful attacks, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. Organizations running AliPAGER 1.5 without proper input validation and sanitization measures face significant risk of data breaches and system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most critical immediate action involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques, including parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks. The application should validate all user inputs against strict whitelists of acceptable characters and lengths, with special attention to SQL reserved words and characters. Additionally, organizations should ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is not the sole defense mechanism and implement comprehensive input sanitization routines. Security hardening measures include disabling unnecessary database privileges for web applications, implementing proper access controls, and establishing regular security audits. The remediation process should also include code review practices to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this vulnerability represents a broader class of injection flaws that require systematic approach to prevention. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and provide additional layers of defense against SQL injection attacks.