CVE-2006-4575 in The Address Book
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in The Address Book 1.04e allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) lastname, (2) firstname, (3) passwordOld, (4) passwordNew, (5) id, (6) language, (7) defaultLetter, (8) newuserPass, (9) newuserType, (10) newuserEmail parameters in (a) user.php; the (11) goTo and (12) search parameters in (b) search.php; and the (13) groupAddName parameter in (c) save.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4575 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting The Address Book version 1.04e, a web-based contact management application. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within multiple script parameters, creating exploitable entry points for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database through crafted SQL commands. The flaw exists across three distinct PHP files including user.php, search.php, and save.php, demonstrating a systemic weakness in the application's security architecture that affects core functionality including user authentication, search operations, and group management features.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through multiple attack vectors that directly interface with the database layer. Attackers can exploit parameters such as lastname, firstname, passwordOld, passwordNew, id, language, defaultLetter, newuserPass, newuserType, newuserEmail, goTo, search, and groupAddName without proper sanitization or parameterized query execution. These parameters are directly incorporated into SQL statements without adequate escaping or validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the database user. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is used in SQL commands without proper validation or sanitization, making it a classic example of unsafe database query construction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands with potentially elevated privileges. Remote attackers can leverage these injection points to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive user information including passwords and personal details, modify or delete database records, and potentially escalate their access to the underlying system. The vulnerability affects critical application functions including user management, search capabilities, and group operations, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on this address book system for contact management. The attack surface is significantly expanded due to the multiple parameters across different files, increasing the probability of successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements across all database interactions, ensuring that user input is properly escaped and validated before being incorporated into SQL commands. Input validation should be enforced at multiple levels including client-side and server-side, with strict sanitization of all parameters received through HTTP requests. The application should also implement proper access controls and privilege management, ensuring that database connections use minimal required privileges. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block SQL injection attempts, while also conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications through SQL injection attacks.