CVE-2006-6282 in Vikingboard
Summary
by MITRE
members.php in Vikingboard 0.1.2 allows remote attackers to trigger a forced SQL error via an invalid s parameter, a different vector than CVE-2006-4709. NOTE: might only be an exposure if display_errors is enabled, but due to lack of details, even this is not clear.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6282 affects Vikingboard version 0.1.2 and specifically targets the members.php script through improper handling of the s parameter. This represents a distinct attack vector from CVE-2006-4709, indicating that the vulnerability stems from a different code path or implementation flaw within the application's error handling mechanisms. The issue manifests when remote attackers submit an invalid s parameter value, which triggers a forced SQL error condition within the application's database interaction layer. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of SQL injection attacks where the attacker manipulates input parameters to cause unintended database operations that may expose sensitive information or compromise database integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the application's insufficient input validation and error handling practices. When an invalid s parameter is provided, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before processing it through database queries. This allows attackers to inject malformed data that forces the database to generate error messages containing sensitive information about the database structure, table names, or even database content. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-89 SQL Injection, which describes the condition where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. The specific nature of this vulnerability demonstrates a lack of proper database abstraction layer implementation where raw user input is directly concatenated into SQL statements rather than using prepared statements or parameterized queries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential pathways for further exploitation within the application's database environment. When display_errors is enabled on the web server, the SQL error messages may reveal critical database schema information that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or data extraction. Even without explicit error display, the forced SQL error condition may still expose information through indirect means such as error logs or response timing variations that could aid in further reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability's potential impact is further amplified when considering that many legacy applications like Vikingboard may not implement modern security measures such as proper error handling, input validation, or database access controls that would normally prevent such exposure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6282 should prioritize immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should disable display_errors in production environments to prevent sensitive database information from being exposed through error messages, a practice that aligns with the principle of least privilege and defense in depth security approaches. The recommended remediation includes implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database interactions, ensuring that user input is properly sanitized before processing, and establishing robust error handling mechanisms that do not expose internal system information. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's characteristics also suggest that implementing proper access controls and database permissions would limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, as attackers would face restricted access to database resources even if they can trigger SQL errors. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing and the need for regular security audits to identify and address such flaws in legacy applications that may continue to operate in production environments without proper security updates.