CVE-2006-2857 in LifeType
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in LifeType 1.0.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the articleId parameter in a ViewArticle action (viewarticleaction.class.php).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2857 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the LifeType 1.0.4 content management system that fundamentally compromises database security. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php script and occurs during the ViewArticle action execution, where the articleId parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization measures. The flaw exists in the viewarticleaction.class.php component, which handles the display of individual articles within the CMS interface.
This SQL injection vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 classification as a direct consequence of insufficient input sanitization and improper parameter handling. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code through the articleId parameter, enabling them to execute arbitrary database commands without authentication. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates over network protocols without requiring any privileged access, making it accessible to anyone who can submit requests to the vulnerable application. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation mechanisms that should have been implemented to prevent malicious SQL code from being executed within the database context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive information from the database, modify or delete content, and even escalate privileges within the application environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access user credentials, personal information, and other confidential data stored within the LifeType database. The remote execution capability means that malicious actors can perform these actions from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the server or network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, particularly HTTP-based attacks targeting web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks from succeeding. All user-supplied input, particularly the articleId parameter in this case, must be sanitized and validated before processing within database queries. Organizations should implement prepared statements or parameterized queries as recommended by OWASP and NIST guidelines for preventing SQL injection vulnerabilities. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened through proper authentication mechanisms, input filtering, and regular security audits of web applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping CMS platforms updated with the latest security patches, as this issue was resolved in subsequent versions of LifeType. Regular penetration testing and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other components of the web application stack, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.