CVE-2006-2541 in Zixforum
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in settings.asp in Zixforum 1.12 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the layid parameter to (1) login.asp and (2) main.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2541 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Zixforum 1.12 web application, specifically targeting the settings.asp component. This vulnerability exists in the manner in which the application processes user input through the layid parameter, which is utilized in two primary entry points: login.asp and main.asp. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the application's database queries, potentially compromising the entire backend system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects core authentication and main application functionality, providing attackers with significant access privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the Zixforum application. When the layid parameter is passed to either login.asp or main.asp, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This lack of input sanitization creates an environment where attackers can manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL syntax, potentially allowing them to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even gain unauthorized administrative access. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to completely compromise the application's integrity and availability. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to user credentials, personal information, and potentially the entire database backend. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services, and T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization techniques that escape special characters and validate all user-supplied data before processing. The most effective approach involves using prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL code from data, preventing malicious input from being interpreted as executable SQL commands. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms, along with regular security auditing and penetration testing, would significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should also be deployed to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts to the vulnerable application components.