CVE-2006-4783 in WebSPELL
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in squads.php in WebSPELL 4.01.01 and earlier, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the squadID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4783 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the WebSPELL content management system version 4.01.01 and earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically affects the squads.php script which handles squad-related data operations. The flaw occurs under conditions where the PHP configuration parameter register_globals is enabled, creating a dangerous environment where user-supplied input can directly influence the application's database interactions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through manipulation of the squadID parameter, potentially leading to complete database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the WebSPELL application. When register_globals is enabled, PHP automatically creates global variables from HTTP request data, including GET and POST parameters. This configuration effectively bypasses normal input validation mechanisms, allowing the squadID parameter to be directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper escaping or sanitization. The flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without adequate protection mechanisms. Attackers can craft malicious squadID values that, when processed by the vulnerable application, alter the intended SQL query structure and execute unauthorized database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within affected networks. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive user credentials, modify or delete critical database records, and potentially establish persistent access through database-level backdoors. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local system access or physical presence to carry out attacks, making it particularly dangerous for web applications hosting sensitive data. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability fits within ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in remote services, and T1078, which covers legitimate credentials use for persistence and privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4783 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves disabling the register_globals PHP configuration option, which eliminates the root cause of the vulnerability by preventing automatic creation of global variables from HTTP request data. Additionally, proper input validation and parameterized queries should be implemented throughout the WebSPELL application to ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before database interaction. Organizations should also consider upgrading to newer versions of WebSPELL where these vulnerabilities have been addressed through proper code review and security testing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and block exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the dangers of legacy PHP configurations that were once considered acceptable but now pose significant security risks.