CVE-2006-6094 in Active News Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in ActiveNews Manager allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) catID parameter to activeNews_categories.asp, the (2) articleID parameter to activeNews_comments.asp, or the (3) query parameter to activenews_search.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2026
The CVE-2006-6094 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting ActiveNews Manager, a web-based news management system that was widely deployed in enterprise and organizational environments during the mid-2000s. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within three distinct script endpoints, creating multiple attack vectors that collectively undermine the application's database security. The affected parameters catID in activeNews_categories.asp, articleID in activeNews_comments.asp, and query in activenews_search.asp all fail to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query structures. This fundamental flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate database operations through carefully crafted input sequences that bypass normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications where user input is directly concatenated into SQL commands without proper sanitization. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially leading to complete system compromise including data exfiltration, unauthorized privilege escalation, and persistent backdoor establishment. The attack surface expands significantly as these vulnerabilities exist across multiple functional areas of the application, covering content categorization, comment management, and search functionality, thereby providing attackers with diverse pathways to achieve their objectives.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2006-6094 demonstrates a classic SQL injection attack pattern where user-controllable parameters are directly embedded into database queries without appropriate sanitization measures. When an attacker submits malicious input through any of the three vulnerable parameters, the application processes these inputs by concatenating them directly into SQL command strings, thereby allowing the attacker to inject additional SQL syntax and commands. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services, specifically targeting database management systems through web application interfaces. The impact extends beyond simple data retrieval as attackers can leverage these injection points to perform data manipulation, execute administrative commands, and potentially gain access to underlying database credentials or system-level privileges. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple endpoints indicates a systemic design flaw in input handling rather than isolated code issues, suggesting that the application's developers failed to implement consistent security controls across the entire codebase. Database administrators and security professionals should recognize this as a critical issue requiring immediate remediation, particularly in environments where ActiveNews Manager continues to operate without proper security updates or patches.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-6094 cannot be understated, as it provides attackers with comprehensive database access capabilities that can result in significant data breaches and system compromise. Successful exploitation allows unauthorized users to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and business-critical content from the affected database systems. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the network or system, enabling them to exploit the flaw from anywhere on the internet. Organizations running ActiveNews Manager applications face substantial risk of regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage if these vulnerabilities remain unpatched. The attack vectors are particularly concerning because they target core application functionality, making exploitation relatively straightforward for attackers with basic SQL injection knowledge. Security teams should prioritize immediate patching or implementation of compensating controls, as the vulnerability has existed for over a decade and no longer receives security updates from the vendor. The remediation process requires thorough code review and input validation implementation across all affected endpoints, with particular attention to ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before database interaction. Organizations should also implement network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential breaches resulting from this vulnerability.