CVE-2006-6542 in Fantastic News
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in news.php in Fantastic News 2.1.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6542 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Fantastic News 2.1.4 content management system and earlier versions. This vulnerability specifically targets the news.php script which processes user input through the id parameter, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the application's codebase, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql code that bypasses normal authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which classifies sql injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper escaping or parameterization. The id parameter in news.php serves as the primary attack vector, where user-supplied data flows directly into database queries without sufficient sanitization. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input that alters the intended sql command structure, potentially gaining unauthorized access to database contents, modifying or deleting records, or even executing administrative commands on the underlying database system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing complete system compromise and potential data destruction. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information from the database, including user credentials, personal data, and system configurations. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation does not require local system access, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. Additionally, the affected version range including Fantastic News 2.1.4 and earlier suggests this was a widespread issue affecting numerous installations, potentially exposing thousands of websites to unauthorized access and data manipulation.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary remediation involves proper input validation and parameterized queries to ensure that user-supplied data cannot alter sql command structure. Database access controls should be enforced through least privilege principles, limiting the database user account's capabilities to prevent unauthorized operations. Additionally, regular security audits and input sanitization practices should be implemented as part of the application's development lifecycle. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, emphasizing the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing proper web application security controls to prevent such exploitation pathways.
The broader implications of CVE-2006-6542 demonstrate the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular vulnerability assessments in web application development. This vulnerability serves as a historical example of how inadequate input validation can lead to complete system compromise, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing and adherence to secure coding standards throughout the software development lifecycle. Organizations should prioritize patch management and security updates to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities while implementing robust monitoring systems to detect potential attacks against their web applications.