CVE-2006-6155 in HIOX Star Rating System Script
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in addrating.php in HIOX Star Rating System Script (HSRS) 1.0 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) ipadd or (2) url parameter. NOTE: The provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2017
The CVE-2006-6155 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the HIOX Star Rating System Script version 1.0 and earlier, demonstrating a fundamental security weakness in input validation and query construction. This vulnerability affects the addrating.php component of the system, which handles user rating submissions and stores them in a database. The flaw stems from the script's improper handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically the ipadd and url parameters that are directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a severe weakness in application security where untrusted data is concatenated into SQL commands, creating opportunities for malicious code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers provide malicious input through the ipadd or url parameters in the addrating.php script. When these parameters are processed, the system constructs SQL queries that include the user-provided data without proper escaping or parameterization, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL commands. The impact of such exploitation can range from unauthorized data access and modification to complete database compromise, depending on the attacker's privileges and the underlying database configuration. This vulnerability specifically enables attackers to manipulate the database through the rating system interface, potentially allowing them to extract sensitive information, modify existing records, or even delete entire datasets.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-6155 extends beyond immediate database compromise, as it represents a persistent security weakness that can be leveraged for various malicious activities within the application's attack surface. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to bypass authentication mechanisms, escalate privileges, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive user data that may be stored within the same database infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network connectivity to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor input validation practices that are fundamental to secure application development, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security risks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6155 should focus on implementing proper parameterized queries and input validation mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective approach involves replacing direct string concatenation of user input with prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL commands from data, thereby preventing malicious input from being interpreted as executable code. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization, output encoding, and comprehensive validation of all user-supplied parameters can significantly reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough code review and security testing, particularly focusing on database interaction points and user input handling mechanisms. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, which emphasizes the need for robust input validation and query construction to prevent injection attacks.