CVE-2006-5104 in vBulletin
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in global.php in Jelsoft vBulletin 2.x allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the templatesused parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2026
The CVE-2006-5104 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the global.php script of Jelsoft vBulletin version 2.x forums. This vulnerability specifically targets the templatesused parameter which is improperly handled during query construction, creating an avenue for remote attackers to manipulate database operations. The flaw exists within the application's input validation mechanisms where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into sql queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a severe security weakness that allows attackers to execute unauthorized database commands.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input for the templatesused parameter that gets directly embedded into sql statements executed by the web application. When the vulnerable application processes this input, the sql injection payload can manipulate the intended query structure, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even gain administrative privileges within the forum environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects core forum functionality and operates at the database interaction layer where unauthorized access can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform union-based queries, error-based exploitation, or blind sql injection techniques depending on the database backend and application configuration.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-5104 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential denial of service conditions. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability to access private user information including passwords, personal details, and forum administrative credentials. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire forum infrastructure since it allows unauthorized data manipulation and can be used to establish persistent access through database-level backdoors. Organizations running affected vBulletin versions face significant risks including unauthorized content modification, user account hijacking, and potential data breaches that could result in regulatory compliance violations and reputational damage. The attack surface is particularly broad given that forum applications often contain sensitive user information and serve as entry points for broader network infiltration attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized query approaches. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of vBulletin 2.x or migrate to supported newer versions that address this sql injection flaw. The recommended defensive measures include implementing proper input sanitization routines, using prepared statements with parameterized queries, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts. Security configurations should enforce strict access controls and database user permissions to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in legacy systems. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust input validation practices as outlined in the mitre attack framework where such vulnerabilities often serve as initial access vectors for more sophisticated attack campaigns.