CVE-2006-6935 in Portix-PHP
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the login component in Portix-PHP 0.4.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the username and passwd (password) fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-6935 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the authentication mechanism of Portix-PHP version 0.4.2. This vulnerability specifically targets the login component where user credentials are processed, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations. The flaw exists in the handling of the username and password parameters, which are directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper input sanitization or parameterization. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities that occur when user-supplied data is improperly integrated into database queries.
The technical execution of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate the authentication process by injecting malicious SQL code through the username and password fields. When a user attempts to log in, the application constructs SQL queries using the provided credentials without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. Attackers can craft specially formatted inputs that alter the intended query structure, potentially allowing them to bypass authentication entirely, extract sensitive database information, or even execute destructive operations on the database. The impact is particularly severe because the login component is typically one of the most frequently accessed parts of any web application, making this vulnerability highly attractive to attackers seeking persistent access to the system.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risk for systems running Portix-PHP 0.4.2 as it fundamentally compromises the authentication security model. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to user accounts, data breaches, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and privilege escalation. Attackers could leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges, move laterally within the network, or establish persistent backdoors through the compromised authentication system. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6935 must focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent the injection of malicious SQL code. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of Portix-PHP or implement proper input sanitization measures that escape special characters in user-supplied data. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be mandatory for all database interactions, particularly in authentication components. Additionally, network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that all input fields are properly validated. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar injection vulnerabilities in other application components.