CVE-2006-3255 in Burning Board
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in showmods.php in Woltlab Burning Board (WBB) 1.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the boardid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3255 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Woltlab Burning Board version 1.2 forum software. This vulnerability specifically affects the showmods.php script which handles board membership and moderation display functionality. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the boardid parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database queries. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql commands without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers provide malicious input through the boardid parameter in the showmods.php script. The application fails to properly sanitize or validate this input before incorporating it into database queries, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary sql commands that execute with the privileges of the web application's database user. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables full database compromise, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive user information, modify forum content, or escalate privileges within the application's database environment. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it highly accessible to threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to user credentials, private messages, forum posts, and potentially sensitive administrative information. Organizations running WBB 1.2 systems would face significant security risks including data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used forum platform means that multiple organizations could be simultaneously affected, creating widespread potential for coordinated attacks against vulnerable installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3255 should prioritize immediate patch application from Woltlab as the primary remediation measure. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization controls at the application level, ensuring all user-supplied data undergoes proper validation before database interaction. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries would effectively prevent sql injection by separating sql command structure from data content. Additionally, 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 access patterns and unauthorized data manipulation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in database access controls, as outlined in various security frameworks including those referenced in the ATT&CK framework for application layer attacks.