CVE-2006-4035 in counterchaos
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in counterchaos.php in CounterChaos 0.48c and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the Referer HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2018
The CVE-2006-4035 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in the CounterChaos web application version 0.48c and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the counterchaos.php script which processes incoming http requests and fails to properly sanitize the Referer header before incorporating it into sql query constructions. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the application's database operations by injecting malicious sql commands through the http referer header field, which is automatically included by web browsers when making requests to web resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices within the counterchaos.php script. When the application receives a request containing a referer header, it directly concatenates this user-supplied data into sql query strings without appropriate escaping or parameterization mechanisms. This classic sql injection vector allows attackers to craft malicious referer values that can alter the intended sql query execution flow, potentially enabling data extraction, modification, or deletion operations. The vulnerability specifically affects the Referer http header because it is commonly used by web applications for tracking user navigation patterns and can be easily manipulated by attackers without requiring authentication or privileged access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with comprehensive database access capabilities that can lead to complete system compromise. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database, potentially gaining access to sensitive information, modifying application data, or even escalating privileges within the database environment. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the server or local network connectivity, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. According to the mitre cwe database, this vulnerability maps to cwe-89 sql injection, which is categorized as a high-risk weakness that consistently ranks among the top ten web application security vulnerabilities identified by owasp and other security organizations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4035 should focus on immediate patching of the affected CounterChaos application to version 0.49 or later, where the sql injection vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements in all database interactions to prevent sql injection attacks from occurring. Additionally, input validation should be enforced at multiple layers including application-level filtering of http headers and database-level access controls to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to monitor and block suspicious referer header patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar sql injection vulnerabilities across all web applications within an organization's infrastructure. This case study serves as a reminder of the critical need for proper input validation and the potential consequences of neglecting fundamental security controls in web application development.