CVE-2006-3543 in IP.Board
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Invision Power Board (IPB) 1.x and 2.x allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) idcat and (2) code parameters in a ketqua action in index.php; the id parameter in a (3) Attach and (4) ref action in index.php; the CODE parameter in a (5) Profile, (6) Login, and (7) Help action in index.php; and the (8) member_id parameter in coins_list.php. NOTE: the developer has disputed this issue, stating that the "CODE attribute is never present in an SQL query" and the " ketqua [action] and file coin_list.php are not standard IPB 2.x features". It is unknown whether these vectors are associated with an independent module or modification of IPB.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3543 represents a collection of multiple SQL injection flaws discovered in Invision Power Board versions 1.x and 2.x. These vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications. The affected parameters span across various actions within the IPB framework, including idcat and code parameters in the ketqua action of index.php, the id parameter in Attach and ref actions of index.php, the CODE parameter in Profile, Login, and Help actions of index.php, and the member_id parameter in coins_list.php. The vulnerability demonstrates the classic pattern of input validation failure where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of these vulnerabilities would allow remote attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The attack vectors leverage the fundamental weakness in how IPB processes user input, particularly in the way parameters are handled during different actions within the application's core files. The SQL injection occurs because the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user.
The operational impact of these vulnerabilities is significant for any organization running affected IPB versions, as successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise. Attackers could potentially extract sensitive user information, including passwords stored in the database, modify user permissions, or even gain access to administrative functions. The fact that these vulnerabilities affect multiple actions within the application suggests a systemic issue in the input handling mechanisms rather than isolated flaws. This widespread nature increases the attack surface and makes the exploitation more likely to succeed, particularly since the vulnerabilities affect core application functionality such as user authentication, profile management, and content handling.
The vendor's disputed statement regarding the CODE attribute and specific files like ketqua and coins_list.php indicates that there may be confusion about the exact scope of the vulnerability or that these components represent modifications rather than standard IPB installations. This situation reflects common challenges in vulnerability assessment where third-party modules or custom implementations can introduce security gaps not present in the base product. The uncertainty about whether these vectors relate to independent modules or standard IPB features highlights the importance of thorough security assessments that consider both the base application and any custom modifications. Organizations should verify their specific IPB installations to determine if these vulnerable components are present, as the standard product may not contain these specific attack vectors.
The broader implications of this vulnerability demonstrate the critical importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries in web application security. The issues identified align with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, and emphasize the need for robust application security practices. Security professionals should implement comprehensive testing procedures including dynamic application security testing and static code analysis to identify similar input validation weaknesses. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping web applications updated, as older versions often contain unpatched security flaws that remain exploitable for extended periods. Organizations should conduct thorough security audits of their IPB installations and ensure that all components, both standard and custom, undergo proper security validation to prevent exploitation of similar injection vulnerabilities.