CVE-2006-6048 in Etomite
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in Etomite CMS 0.6.1.2, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6048 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Etomite Content Management System version 0.6.1.2. This security weakness exists in the index.php script and specifically targets the handling of user input through the id parameter. The flaw becomes exploitable when the PHP configuration setting magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. This configuration oversight creates a dangerous attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate database queries by injecting crafted SQL commands directly through web interface parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs because the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the CMS does not automatically escape single quotes, double quotes, semicolons, or other special characters that could alter the intended SQL syntax. Attackers can construct malicious payloads using the id parameter to manipulate the database query structure, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information, modifying database records, or even executing administrative commands on the underlying database system. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a high-severity weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable full database compromise and potentially lead to complete system takeover. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could access all content managed by the CMS, including user accounts, configuration settings, and sensitive business data. The attack vector requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries target web applications to gain unauthorized access to backend systems. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate secure coding principles and could facilitate additional attacks through privilege escalation or lateral movement within compromised networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6048 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Etomite CMS, as the vulnerability was resolved in subsequent releases. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in other applications. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure least privilege principles are enforced, and all database connections should use secure authentication mechanisms. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications, as this type of flaw commonly occurs in legacy systems that lack proper security controls. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining current software versions and following security best practices for database interaction.