CVE-2006-5236 in 4images
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in search.php in 4images 1.7.x allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the search_user parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5236 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the 4images 1.7.x content management system that affects the search.php script. This vulnerability specifically targets the search_user parameter which processes user input without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw exists in the application's database interaction logic where user-supplied input is directly concatenated into sql query strings without appropriate escaping or parameterization techniques. This design flaw creates a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database queries through crafted input sequences that can alter the intended execution flow of the application's sql commands.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess valid authentication credentials within the 4images system, as the flaw operates only in the context of authenticated user sessions. However, this authentication requirement does not mitigate the severity of the vulnerability since authenticated users typically have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system functionality. When an authenticated user submits malicious input through the search_user parameter, the sql injection occurs because the application fails to implement proper input validation or use of prepared statements. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications where user-controllable data is incorporated into sql commands without adequate sanitization. This weakness allows attackers to potentially extract, modify, or delete database contents, and in some cases may enable complete system compromise through database-level attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation as it provides attackers with the ability to perform unauthorized database operations that can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the entire 4images installation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access restricted user accounts, extract sensitive information such as user credentials, session tokens, or other confidential data stored within the application's database. The vulnerability also enables potential persistence mechanisms where attackers might create backdoors or modify application behavior through database alterations. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 which involves network service scanning and exploitation. The vulnerability can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database server, potentially leading to broader system compromise and lateral movement within network environments where the application resides.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query techniques. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input is properly sanitized and validated before being incorporated into database queries. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be mandatory for all database interactions to prevent sql injection attacks. Additionally, the application should enforce the principle of least privilege where database connections use accounts with minimal required permissions rather than administrative accounts. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The patching strategy should include immediate deployment of vendor-supplied security updates or code modifications that address the input validation weakness in the search.php script. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be implemented to detect anomalous database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify and respond to potential sql injection attacks targeting the vulnerable application components.