CVE-2006-3932 in LinksCaffe
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in links.php in Gonafish LinksCaffe 3.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cat parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3932 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Gonafish LinksCaffe 3.0 web application, specifically affecting the links.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the cat parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation measures. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the application's database query execution flow, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, making it a classic example of an SQL injection vulnerability. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows for remote exploitation without requiring any authentication or privileged access, making it accessible to any attacker with network connectivity to the vulnerable application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the cat parameter in the links.php script. The application fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before incorporating it into SQL queries, allowing attackers to manipulate the intended database operations. This can result in unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete database compromise. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the database server, potentially leading to full system compromise. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are essential for preventing injection attacks. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it represents an attack against a publicly accessible web application component. The vulnerability's presence in a links management system suggests potential exposure to a wide range of malicious activities including data exfiltration, unauthorized user account creation, or modification of link databases.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, particularly for organizations relying on the Gonafish LinksCaffe 3.0 platform for link management services. Remote attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the application's database, potentially including user credentials, link metadata, or other confidential data. The vulnerability could also enable attackers to modify or delete existing links, disrupting the application's functionality and potentially causing service outages. Additionally, the compromised system could serve as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure, as database servers often contain privileged information and may be connected to other critical systems. Organizations using this vulnerable software may face regulatory compliance issues, data breach notifications, and potential legal consequences if sensitive data is compromised through this vulnerability. The vulnerability's age and the fact that it stems from a third-party information source indicates a lack of proper security validation during the software development lifecycle, highlighting the importance of thorough security assessments and regular vulnerability scanning practices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3932 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent malicious SQL code from being executed within database operations. Organizations should immediately apply patches or updates from the software vendor if available, or implement custom code fixes to sanitize all user inputs, particularly those used in database queries. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security best practices dictate that all user-supplied inputs should be treated as untrusted and properly escaped before being incorporated into any database operations. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the CERT/CC Secure Coding Standards, which emphasize the need for input validation, output encoding, and proper error handling to prevent injection vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs are essential to maintain protection against similar threats in the future.