CVE-2006-5208 in PHP Classifieds
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in PHP Classifieds 7.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the catid_search parameter in search.php and (2) the catid parameter in index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The CVE-2006-5208 vulnerability affects PHP Classifieds version 7.1 and represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to perform SQL injection attacks against the application's database layer. This vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's search functionality, specifically targeting two distinct parameters that handle category identifiers. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands directly into the database query execution pipeline, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling in two key files within the PHP Classifieds application. The catid_search parameter in search.php and the catid parameter in index.php fail to properly sanitize user input before incorporating them into SQL queries. When these parameters are processed, the application directly concatenates user-supplied values into database queries without appropriate escaping or parameterization mechanisms. This creates an environment where attackers can manipulate the SQL execution flow by injecting malicious SQL syntax through the vulnerable parameters, effectively bypassing authentication mechanisms and gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with extensive control over the affected database system. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract confidential information including user credentials, personal data, and classified advertisements stored within the application. The vulnerability also permits modification or deletion of database records, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers could leverage this weakness to escalate privileges, establish persistent backdoors, or conduct further reconnaissance against the underlying infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications.
Security professionals should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary remediation involves proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters undergo rigorous sanitization before database interaction. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of PHP Classifieds or implement custom code fixes that properly escape special SQL characters and utilize prepared statements. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and corresponds to attack techniques listed in the ATT&CK framework under T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures across multiple defensive layers to prevent successful exploitation attempts.