CVE-2006-5629 in Hosting Controller
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Hosting Controller 6.1 before Hotfix 3.3 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the ForumID parameter in (1) DisableForum.asp and (2) enableForum.asp. NOTE: it was later reported that the vulnerability is present in 6.1 Hotfix 3.3 and earlier.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5629 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting Hosting Controller 6.1 systems prior to Hotfix 3.3, with subsequent confirmation that the issue persisted through Hotfix 3.3 and earlier versions. This vulnerability resides within the web application's handling of user input parameters, specifically targeting the ForumID parameter in two distinct administrative scripts. The affected files DisableForum.asp and enableForum.asp process user-supplied ForumID values without adequate input validation or sanitization, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the backend database. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a serious weakness in application security that can lead to complete database compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the ForumID parameter to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed by the application's database engine. The flaw exists because the application directly incorporates user input into SQL query construction without proper parameterization or input filtering mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially gaining access to sensitive user information, administrative credentials, or system configuration data. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing injection attacks. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to escalate privileges and potentially achieve full system compromise through database-level access.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to include complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can exploit the SQL injection to extract user accounts, session tokens, and other sensitive information stored in the database. The vulnerability's presence in both DisableForum.asp and enableForum.asp suggests that the flaw affects administrative functions, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate forum settings or disable services entirely. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1190 which addresses exploitation of remote services. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1005 which involves data from local system storage, as attackers can access sensitive data stored in the database. Organizations using Hosting Controller 6.1 without proper patching or mitigation measures face significant risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
The recommended remediation strategy involves immediate deployment of the vendor-provided Hotfix 3.3 or later versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability through proper input validation and parameterized query construction. Organizations should implement input sanitization measures including parameterized queries, stored procedures, and proper input validation routines to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Additionally, network segmentation and web application firewalls should be deployed to limit the attack surface and detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar injection vulnerabilities across the entire application portfolio. The remediation process should also include thorough code reviews focusing on input handling and database interaction patterns to prevent recurrence of such flaws in future development cycles.