CVE-2006-5228 in ackerTodo
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the Google Gadget login.php (gadget/login.php) in Rob Hensley ackerTodo 4.2 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) up_login, (2) up_pass, or (3) up_num_tasks parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5228 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the ackerTodo 4.2 web application and earlier versions. This vulnerability specifically affects the Google Gadget login.php component, which serves as the authentication interface for the application. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the database by injecting malicious SQL commands through three distinct parameter inputs: up_login, up_pass, and up_num_tasks. These parameters are processed without proper input sanitization, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter handling within the gadget/login.php script. When user-supplied data is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper escaping or parameterization, attackers can craft malicious input that alters the intended query execution flow. The up_login parameter typically handles username input, up_pass manages password data, and up_num_tasks processes task count values. Each of these parameters can be manipulated to inject SQL syntax that bypasses authentication mechanisms and potentially allows full database access. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses in software that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple authentication bypass. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive user credentials, modify database records, delete critical information, or even escalate privileges within the application. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit this flaw. Given that ackerTodo was designed as a web-based task management application, the compromised database likely contained user accounts, task assignments, and potentially confidential project information. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the underlying code is patched, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on outdated versions of the software.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5228 should prioritize immediate patching of the ackerTodo application to version 4.3 or later where the SQL injection vulnerabilities have been addressed. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring database connections use accounts with minimal required permissions rather than administrative credentials. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that all input handling follows secure coding practices. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust input validation as fundamental defensive measures against database injection attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for organizations to maintain comprehensive application security postures and regularly test their systems against known attack patterns.