CVE-2006-3161 in SaphpLesson
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in misc.php in SaphpLesson 1.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the action parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2018
The CVE-2006-3161 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in SaphpLesson version 1.1 and earlier, specifically within the misc.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the action parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the application's database query execution flow, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the SaphpLesson application's misc.php file. When the action parameter is passed to the script, it is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization techniques. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a direct consequence of insufficient input validation and sanitization. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user input transitions into database operations, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to manipulate database queries through crafted input sequences.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations utilizing SaphpLesson 1.1 or earlier versions. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to data exfiltration, unauthorized user account creation, database modification, or complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications. The attack vector follows standard SQL injection patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves crafting malicious input strings that contain SQL payload sequences designed to manipulate the database query structure. These payloads can be constructed to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data such as user credentials, or even execute system commands through database-specific functions. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that SaphpLesson was designed as a web-based learning management system, making it a potential target for attackers seeking to compromise educational institutions or organizations relying on such platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3161 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves upgrading to SaphpLesson version 1.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and parameterized query implementations. Organizations should implement input sanitization measures including proper escaping of special characters, use of prepared statements or parameterized queries, and comprehensive input validation routines. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to the principle of least privilege, where database access is restricted to only necessary operations. Security teams should also implement regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar flaws in legacy applications, ensuring that the remediation process includes thorough testing to prevent regression issues in the application's functionality.