CVE-2006-5635 in Web Wiz Forums
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in forum/search.asp in Web Wiz Forums allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the KW parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5635 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the web wiz forums application, specifically in the forum/search.asp component. This weakness enables remote attackers to manipulate the application's database queries through the KW parameter, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information and system compromise. The vulnerability resides in the improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to adequately filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql commands. The affected parameter KW appears to be used directly in database query construction without proper escaping or parameterization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql code that executes within the database context of the web application.
This sql injection vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which defines improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access. The operational impact of this flaw extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges, modify database content, extract sensitive user information, or even gain shell access to the underlying database server. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system or network privileges to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the forum application, potentially compromising all user data, session information, and system integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal effort from attackers who can simply append malicious sql payloads to the KW parameter in search requests. Common attack vectors include union-based queries, time-based blind sql injection techniques, or error-based exploitation methods that can reveal database schema information and user credentials. The lack of proper input validation means that any user input passed through the KW parameter is directly incorporated into sql statements without adequate sanitization or parameterization. Organizations running web wiz forums software are particularly at risk since this vulnerability has been documented for over a decade, yet many legacy systems continue to operate without proper patching or mitigation measures. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in application security practices, highlighting the importance of implementing proper input validation, output encoding, and parameterized queries to prevent such attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5635 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected web wiz forums application to address the sql injection vulnerability in the search.asp component. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization techniques that filter or escape special characters before processing user input. The implementation of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be mandatory for all database interactions within the application. Network-based protections including web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring and blocking suspicious sql injection patterns. Access controls and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to ensure that the applied fixes do not introduce new functionality issues while effectively blocking sql injection attacks. Security awareness training for developers should emphasize secure coding practices and the importance of validating all user inputs to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future application development cycles.