CVE-2006-2805 in VBulletin
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in VBulletin 3.0.10 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the featureid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2805 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in VBulletin version 3.0.10, a widely deployed web application forum platform. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of user input parameters, specifically the featureid parameter which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database query execution flow, potentially compromising the entire underlying database infrastructure. The vulnerability affects systems running VBulletin 3.0.10 and represents a significant security risk given the widespread adoption of this forum software across numerous websites and organizations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the featureid parameter is passed through user input without proper input validation or parameterized query handling. Attackers can craft malicious SQL payloads that manipulate the intended database query structure, allowing them to extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even execute administrative commands on the database server. This particular weakness demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and highlights the critical importance of implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements in web applications. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote code execution capabilities, enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to database resources and potentially escalate privileges within the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information. Organizations utilizing VBulletin 3.0.10 may experience unauthorized data modification, user account compromise, and potential service disruption. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web browser-based exploitation, automated scanning tools, and manual penetration testing approaches. Given that VBulletin was commonly used for community forums, bulletin boards, and user-generated content platforms, the potential for exposure was significant. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, and demonstrates the classic attack pattern of manipulating input parameters to achieve unauthorized database access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2805 require immediate implementation of security patches provided by VBulletin, as well as comprehensive input validation and parameterized query implementations. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, while also establishing proper database access controls and monitoring mechanisms. The remediation process involves upgrading to patched versions of VBulletin, implementing proper input sanitization routines, and conducting thorough security testing of all user input parameters. Security teams should also implement database activity monitoring to detect unusual query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access and regular security audits to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in other components of their web infrastructure.