CVE-2006-4836 in DCP-Portal
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in login.php in DCP-Portal SE 6.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the username parameter. NOTE: The lostpassword.php and calendar.php vectors are already covered by CVE-2005-3365, and the search.php vector is already covered by CVE-2005-4227.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4836 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the DCP-Portal SE 6.0 web application, specifically targeting the login.php component. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure input handling where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. The affected parameter is the username field, which serves as the primary entry point for malicious input that can manipulate the underlying database queries. The vulnerability is classified as a direct sql injection attack vector that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands on the database server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the application's database infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted username parameter that contains sql payload code. The application fails to properly validate or escape the input data before incorporating it into sql statements, allowing malicious sql commands to be executed within the database context. The attack vector operates entirely through the http protocol and requires no local system access or privileges, making it highly accessible to remote threat actors. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor input validation practices that are commonly associated with insecure programming methodologies. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the core authentication mechanism of the application, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges, extract sensitive user information, or modify database contents. According to the mitre cwe database, this represents a variant of cwe-89 sql injection, which is categorized as a high-risk vulnerability requiring immediate remediation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential data destruction. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to bypass authentication, access administrative functions, and extract confidential information from user accounts, including passwords, personal details, and other sensitive data stored in the database. The vulnerability also enables potential privilege escalation attacks where attackers can manipulate database queries to gain elevated access rights within the application's security model. Furthermore, the compromised system may serve as a staging area for further attacks against internal network resources, as the database server often contains information that can be used for lateral movement and reconnaissance. The vulnerability affects the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of the entire application ecosystem, potentially causing significant business disruption and regulatory compliance issues. Organizations using DCP-Portal SE 6.0 are particularly at risk since the vulnerability affects the fundamental authentication process that protects all other application features and data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4836 must focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized query construction techniques to prevent sql injection attacks. The primary remediation approach involves replacing direct sql string concatenation with prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate sql code from user input data. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization measures including character set validation, length restrictions, and the use of whitelisting techniques for username parameters. The application should also incorporate proper error handling that prevents the exposure of database information to end users, as detailed error messages can aid attackers in crafting more sophisticated attacks. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against sql injection attempts. According to nist special publication 800-115, proper application security testing including dynamic and static analysis should be performed to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application codebase. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be implemented to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly, and access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the owasp top ten project, which emphasizes the need for input validation and proper sql query construction in web applications.