CVE-2007-1963 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the create_session function in class_session.php in MyBB (aka MyBulletinBoard) 1.2.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the Client-IP HTTP header, as utilized by index.php, a related issue to CVE-2006-3775.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1963 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the MyBulletinBoard forum software version 1.2.3 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the create_session function located within the class_session.php file, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to compromise forum installations. The vulnerability specifically leverages the Client-IP HTTP header as an attack vector, which is commonly utilized by the index.php script to establish user sessions. This particular implementation creates a dangerous pathway for remote code execution since the application fails to properly sanitize or validate input data from the HTTP header before incorporating it into database queries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious Client-IP header values that contain SQL payload commands, allowing them to manipulate the underlying database through the vulnerable session creation process. When the application processes the malformed header value within the create_session function, it directly incorporates user-supplied data into SQL statements without proper sanitization, creating an environment where attackers can execute arbitrary database commands. This form of injection occurs because the software does not employ prepared statements or proper input validation mechanisms to filter out malicious SQL syntax from the HTTP header data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or corruption, as it enables full database compromise and potential system takeover. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive user information including usernames, passwords, and private messages stored in the database. Additionally, the vulnerability allows for privilege escalation and persistent backdoor establishment within the compromised forum environment. The fact that this issue is related to CVE-2006-3775 indicates a pattern of similar vulnerabilities within the MyBB software, suggesting that the application's input handling mechanisms were fundamentally flawed and required comprehensive security review. This type of vulnerability can lead to complete forum compromise, user account takeover, and potential use as a staging ground for further attacks against the hosting environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves upgrading to MyBB versions that contain proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, as the vulnerability was resolved in later releases through proper parameterized query implementation. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious Client-IP header values, though this represents a temporary workaround rather than a permanent fix. Input validation should be implemented at multiple layers including HTTP header parsing, application logic validation, and database query sanitization. The security community recommends following the principle of least privilege for database connections, implementing proper error handling that does not expose database structure information, and conducting regular security code reviews to identify similar injection vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous SQL query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, particularly when handling user-supplied data in web applications that interact with databases.