CVE-2006-5908 in Yet Another News System
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the login_user function in yans.func.php in Lucas Rodriguez San Pedro Yet Another News System (YANS) 0.2b allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) username or (2) password parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5908 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Yet Another News System version 0.2b, specifically affecting the login_user function in the yans.func.php file. This vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The flaw manifests when attackers manipulate the username or password parameters during authentication attempts, allowing them to inject malicious SQL code that bypasses normal authentication procedures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper input sanitization and parameterized query construction within the authentication mechanism. When user credentials are processed through the login_user function, the system directly concatenates user-supplied values into SQL query strings without adequate escaping or validation. This design flaw creates an environment where attackers can manipulate database queries by injecting SQL syntax through the vulnerable parameters, effectively bypassing authentication controls and gaining unauthorized access to the system's underlying database infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in application input validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise including data exfiltration, unauthorized user account creation, and potential privilege escalation within the database environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary database commands, potentially accessing sensitive user information, modifying system data, or even gaining shell access to the underlying server. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. Organizations using this vulnerable version of YANS face significant risk of data breaches and system compromise, as the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browser interactions without requiring specialized tools or extensive technical knowledge.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized query construction practices. System administrators should upgrade to patched versions of the YANS system or implement proper input sanitization measures that escape special SQL characters and validate user inputs against expected formats. The solution should incorporate prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is never directly concatenated into SQL commands. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, monitoring for suspicious authentication attempts, and conducting regular security audits of web applications can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for SQL injection attack patterns and provide additional layers of defense against this type of vulnerability.