CVE-2006-2801 in Unak
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Unak CMS 1.5 RC2 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) u_a or (2) u_s parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2801 represents a critical security flaw in Unak CMS version 1.5 RC2 and earlier systems, where multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities exist within the application's parameter handling mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects the u_a and u_s parameters, which are likely used for user authentication and session management functions within the content management system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization processes that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with access to the vulnerable web application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL command strings without proper sanitization. The attack vector occurs when the application processes the u_a or u_s parameters through database queries without appropriate input filtering or parameterized query construction. This allows malicious actors to inject specially crafted SQL commands that bypass authentication mechanisms, potentially leading to unauthorized access to the database, data manipulation, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices and highlights the critical importance of implementing proper input validation at all points where user data interfaces with database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, extract sensitive information, modify or delete database records, and potentially establish persistent access to the system. Given that this affects a content management system, successful exploitation could result in complete compromise of the website's content, user credentials, and underlying database infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly attractive to automated attack tools and malicious actors seeking to compromise multiple targets. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1078 for valid accounts usage, as attackers can leverage the compromised system for further lateral movement within networks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, and implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection exploitation. The recommended remediation approach involves updating to a patched version of Unak CMS or applying the appropriate security patches released by the vendor. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components, implement proper database access controls, and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security training for development teams on secure coding practices and adherence to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines should also be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future development cycles.