CVE-2006-6780 in HLstats
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the login form in HLstats 1.20 through 1.34 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the killLimit parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2025
The CVE-2006-6780 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in HLstats versions 1.20 through 1.34 that specifically targets the login form functionality. This vulnerability resides within the killLimit parameter handling mechanism, where user input is inadequately sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the application's database interactions by injecting malicious sql commands through the login form interface. This particular vulnerability demonstrates a classic improper input validation issue that has been classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities. The attack vector operates through the web application's authentication mechanism, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by unauthenticated users without requiring any prior access privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the killLimit parameter during the login process. The application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries, creating an environment where attacker-controlled sql code can be executed within the database context. This allows for complete database compromise, enabling attackers to extract sensitive information, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the application's database environment. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can facilitate full system compromise through database-level attacks. The flaw specifically affects the authentication flow, making it particularly attractive to attackers who seek to gain unauthorized access to the system or to manipulate user credentials and access logs.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations using HLstats versions within the affected range. The remote execution capability means that attackers can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system. The impact includes potential data breaches, unauthorized access to user accounts, and modification of game statistics and logs that HLstats maintains. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically relating to credential access and execution techniques. Organizations may experience service disruption, compliance violations, and reputational damage when such vulnerabilities are exploited. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete database compromise, allowing attackers to perform unauthorized data manipulation, information disclosure, and potentially establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure.
Effective mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6780 include immediate patching of HLstats installations to versions that address the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious sql code from being executed. The recommended approach involves using parameterized queries or prepared statements for all database interactions, which fundamentally prevents sql injection by separating sql code from data. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization controls can provide additional layers of protection. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security coding practices as outlined in industry standards such as the owasp top ten and the iso 27001 security framework. Organizations should also establish robust monitoring systems to detect and respond to exploitation attempts targeting sql injection vulnerabilities.