CVE-2006-3940 in phpbb-Auction
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in phpbb-Auction allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the ar parameter in auction_room.php and (2) the u parameter in auction_store.php. NOTE: the auction_rating.php vector is already covered by CVE-2005-1234. NOTE: the original disclosure states that the product name is "PHP-Auction", but this is probably an error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3940 represents a critical security flaw in the phpbb-Auction software, which is a web-based auction system built on the phpBB forum platform. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's SQL query construction processes, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate database operations through carefully crafted user inputs. The affected software version suffers from insufficient sanitization of parameters passed to database queries, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the database user account.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit the same fundamental flaw in input handling. The first vector targets the ar parameter within auction_room.php, while the second targets the u parameter in auction_store.php. Both parameters are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, enabling attackers to append malicious SQL statements to the original query structure. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is concatenated or embedded into SQL commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise and potential system infiltration. Attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands including SELECT statements to extract sensitive information, INSERT operations to add malicious entries, UPDATE commands to modify existing data, and DELETE operations to remove critical records. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1190, which addresses exploitation of remote services.
The security implications of this vulnerability are compounded by the fact that it affects components of a forum-based auction system, which typically handles sensitive user information including personal details, auction bids, and transaction records. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to user accounts, manipulation of auction results, and potential financial fraud. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution vector through database manipulation means that attackers could potentially escalate privileges and gain deeper access to the underlying system infrastructure. Organizations using this vulnerable software face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patch application, implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries, and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.
The original disclosure's mention of "PHP-Auction" as the product name, while likely an error, highlights the importance of proper vulnerability identification and categorization within the security community. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for robust input validation practices and the implementation of secure coding standards throughout the development lifecycle. The affected applications should undergo comprehensive security auditing to identify and remediate similar injection vulnerabilities that may exist in other parameters or components of the software ecosystem.