CVE-2006-2981 in Vice Stats
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in vs_search.php in Arantius Vice Stats before 1.0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unknown vectors, a different issue than CVE-2006-2972.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2981 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Arantius Vice Stats application version 1.0.0 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the vs_search.php component of the web application, which processes user input for search functionality. The issue enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code through unspecified input vectors, potentially allowing full database access and arbitrary command execution. Unlike CVE-2006-2972 which addressed a different SQL injection vector, this vulnerability demonstrates a distinct attack surface within the same software ecosystem, highlighting the complexity of securing web applications against multiple injection vectors.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the vs_search.php script. When users submit search queries, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL database queries. This allows attackers to manipulate the intended query structure by injecting malicious SQL syntax that can alter the execution flow, potentially bypassing authentication mechanisms, extracting sensitive data, or even modifying database contents. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a high-risk weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The specific attack pattern aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS, though the primary vector here is database query manipulation rather than DNS tunneling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. Attackers could potentially escalate privileges, access confidential user information, modify or delete database records, and establish persistent access points within the affected infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations using Arantius Vice Stats for web analytics, which may include sensitive business data or user tracking information. Given that this was a pre-1.0.1 version, the vulnerability represents an unpatched security gap that could have been exploited for extended periods, particularly in environments where legacy software components were not regularly updated or monitored for security patches.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the available patch for Arantius Vice Stats version 1.0.1 or later, which addresses the SQL injection flaw through proper input validation and parameterized query construction. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns in web application traffic, particularly around search functionality. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization measures can provide defense-in-depth protection. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected components within their infrastructure, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input handling and the potential for cascading security issues in web applications. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of maintaining current software versions and implementing robust security testing procedures including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar injection vulnerabilities across the entire application portfolio.