CVE-2006-3996 in ATutor
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in links/index.php in ATutor 1.5.3.1 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) desc or (2) asc parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3996 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the ATutor learning management system version 1.5.3.1 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the links/index.php script which handles sorting functionality for links within the system. The flaw occurs when authenticated users manipulate the desc and asc parameters to inject malicious sql code, bypassing normal input validation mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated user context, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to the ATutor system before attempting the sql injection attack. However, the impact remains significant as authenticated users typically have access to sensitive system functionality and data. The vulnerability stems from improper input handling where the desc and asc parameters are directly concatenated into sql queries without appropriate sanitization or prepared statement usage. This allows attackers to manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql fragments that can alter the intended query behavior, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, extract sensitive user information, or even gain deeper system access depending on the underlying database configuration. Attackers could potentially enumerate database schemas, extract user credentials, modify course content, or manipulate link management functionality to redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the links management system within ATutor, which is a fundamental component of the learning management platform. This weakness creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by malicious insiders or external attackers who have obtained legitimate user credentials, making it particularly dangerous in educational environments where multiple users maintain access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the ATutor codebase, particularly in the links/index.php script. The recommended approach involves using prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input cannot alter the sql command structure. Additionally, input sanitization routines should be implemented to filter or escape special sql characters from the desc and asc parameters. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the owasp top ten and mitre attack framework, specifically addressing the persistent threat of sql injection in web applications. System administrators should ensure immediate patching of affected ATutor versions and implement regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the learning management system.