CVE-2006-2459 in PHP-Fusion
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in messages.php in PHP-Fusion 6.00.307 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the srch_where parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2459 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHP-Fusion content management system version 6.00.307 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the messages.php script which handles messaging functionality within the application. The vulnerability specifically affects authenticated users who can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. The attack vector is facilitated through manipulation of the srch_where parameter, which is improperly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. This allows malicious actors with valid user credentials to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and directly interface with the database layer, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and proper parameterization in database query construction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who already have legitimate access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied input within the search functionality of the messaging system. When the srch_where parameter is processed, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before incorporating it into SQL statements. This violates fundamental security principles outlined in CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a critical weakness in software design. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user input directly influences database query execution paths, creating an environment where malicious SQL code can be injected and executed with the privileges of the web application's database user. The authenticated nature of the attack means that exploitation requires only valid user credentials rather than administrative access, making this flaw particularly concerning for systems where user access is more prevalent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or manipulation. Successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise, allowing attackers to extract sensitive information, modify user credentials, alter content, or even escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the entire PHP-Fusion installation. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system by enabling unauthorized data access and potential system disruption. Organizations using affected versions of PHP-Fusion face significant risk of data breaches, as the SQL injection can be used to access user databases, including personal information, login credentials, and other sensitive data stored within the CMS. The impact is particularly severe given that PHP-Fusion was widely used for small to medium-sized websites, meaning that numerous organizations could be affected by a single vulnerability in the core application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2459 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability. System administrators must ensure that all PHP-Fusion installations are updated to versions 6.00.308 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Network-level defenses including web application firewalls and database access controls can provide additional layers of protection, though these should not be relied upon as primary defenses. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify and remediate similar injection flaws in custom applications. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect suspicious database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, aligning with the detection methodologies recommended in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for database access and credential access techniques.