CVE-2006-3243 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in usercp.php in MyBB (MyBulletinBoard) 1.0 through 1.1.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the showcodebuttons parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3243 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in MyBB version 1.0 through 1.1.3, specifically within the usercp.php script. This issue manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the showcodebuttons parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the backend database. The vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-provided data without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms, directly exposing the system to unauthorized database access and manipulation. Such a flaw fundamentally undermines the integrity of the application's data handling processes and presents a severe security risk to all systems utilizing affected versions of MyBB.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the showcodebuttons parameter in the usercp.php script, which is typically used to control code button display settings within the user control panel. When an attacker submits malicious SQL payload through this parameter, the application processes the input directly within database queries without proper sanitization, allowing the injected commands to execute with the privileges of the database user account. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where insufficient input validation permits attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication to exploit, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be leveraged from any internet-accessible system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise, data manipulation, unauthorized user account creation, and potential lateral movement within network infrastructure. Attackers can extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and application configuration details that may reveal additional system vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's presence in the user control panel interface suggests that even casual user interactions could serve as attack vectors, increasing the potential exposure surface. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers would likely use this vulnerability to gather intelligence and establish persistent access to affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3243 require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should upgrade to MyBB versions 1.1.4 or later, which contain the necessary patches addressing this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization techniques, including the use of prepared statements and stored procedures, will significantly reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database query patterns and unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper code review practices, particularly for applications handling user input in database operations, and demonstrates the critical need for adhering to secure coding standards throughout the software development lifecycle.