CVE-2006-6747 in Xt-News
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in show_news.php in Xt-News 0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id_news parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6747 represents a critical sql injection flaw in the Xt-News 0.1 content management system, specifically within the show_news.php script. This weakness allows remote attackers to manipulate database queries through the id_news parameter, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive information and system compromise. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the application's database interaction logic, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands that execute with the privileges of the web application's database user.
This sql injection vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly violates several security principles outlined in the CWE (common weakness enumeration) catalog under CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into sql query construction. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input strings that alter the intended sql query structure, potentially allowing them to extract, modify, or delete database records without proper authentication. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or physical presence to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete database compromise and potentially full system infiltration. Successful exploitation may allow attackers to escalate privileges, access administrative interfaces, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework category T1190, this vulnerability aligns with the technique of exploiting vulnerabilities in software applications, while the privilege escalation capabilities map to T1068. The compromised database may contain sensitive user information, system configurations, or business-critical data that could be exfiltrated or manipulated, leading to financial loss, regulatory violations, and reputational damage for affected organizations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should implement input sanitization measures that filter or escape special characters commonly used in sql injection attacks, including single quotes, semicolons, and comment markers. The recommended approach involves adopting prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate sql code from data, ensuring that user input is treated as literal values rather than executable code. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, database user privilege management, and regular security audits can significantly reduce the attack surface. The application should also employ proper error handling that does not reveal database structure information to unauthorized users, as this information can aid in further exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the application's codebase, while network monitoring can help detect suspicious database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.