CVE-2006-4526 in CubeCart
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in includes/content/viewCat.inc.php in CubeCart 3.0.12 and earlier, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the searchArray[] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4526 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the CubeCart e-commerce platform version 3.0.12 and earlier. This security weakness exists in the includes/content/viewCat.inc.php file and specifically exploits the configuration where register_globals is enabled, creating a dangerous attack vector for remote threat actors. The flaw manifests through the searchArray[] parameter which is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into SQL queries, allowing malicious input to manipulate database operations. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of input validation and demonstrates poor secure coding practices that have been well-documented in industry standards including CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in software security.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input for the searchArray[] parameter that gets directly embedded into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. When register_globals is enabled, PHP automatically creates global variables from GET, POST, and Cookie data, which eliminates the need for explicit variable declaration. This automatic variable creation creates an environment where user-supplied input can seamlessly integrate into the application's logic flow, making it particularly dangerous when combined with SQL query construction. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires minimal privileges to exploit, as the attacker only needs to send specially crafted HTTP requests to the affected web application. This attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which describes application layer protocol manipulation through SQL injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or manipulation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected database system. Successful exploitation could enable unauthorized access to customer information, transaction records, product catalogs, and potentially administrative credentials stored within the database. The vulnerability also poses risks to the overall system integrity, as attackers might use it to escalate privileges, modify database schemas, or even establish persistent backdoors within the application environment. Organizations running affected CubeCart versions face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to the exposure of sensitive customer information. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a widely used e-commerce platform, making it a prime target for automated scanning and exploitation tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and parameterized queries. The most effective immediate fix involves disabling register_globals in the PHP configuration, which eliminates the automatic global variable creation that enables this attack vector. Additionally, developers should implement proper input sanitization techniques, including the use of prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection regardless of the PHP configuration. Security patches should be applied to upgrade to CubeCart versions that have addressed this vulnerability, as the original developers likely implemented proper input validation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The remediation process should follow secure coding guidelines such as those outlined in OWASP Top 10 and the CERT/CC secure coding standards, which emphasize the importance of input validation and proper database query construction to prevent SQL injection vulnerabilities.