CVE-2007-2211 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in calendar.php in MyBB (aka MyBulletinBoard) 1.2.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the day parameter in a dayview action.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2211 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the MyBB bulletin board system version 1.2.5 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the calendar.php script which handles calendar-related functionality including day viewing operations. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the day parameter during dayview actions, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the underlying database query execution process. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-89 sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration framework, which categorizes this as a direct injection attack where untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper validation or sanitization. The attack vector is remote, meaning that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in web-based environments where the application is accessible over the internet.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious user crafts a specially formatted request containing sql payload within the day parameter of the calendar.php script. When the application processes this parameter without proper input validation, the injected sql commands become part of the actual database query, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even gain administrative access to the bulletin board system. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability can enable complete system compromise through database manipulation and privilege escalation techniques. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in bulletin board systems where user-generated content and calendar data may contain sensitive information, and where the system often operates with elevated privileges to manage user accounts and forum content. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input sanitization and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure coding standards and represents a failure in the application's defense in depth strategy.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2211 is severe and multifaceted, affecting not only the integrity and confidentiality of the bulletin board system but potentially the entire underlying infrastructure that supports it. Organizations using vulnerable versions of MyBB face significant risks including unauthorized data access, data corruption, and potential complete system compromise. The vulnerability can be leveraged to perform actions such as user account enumeration, password extraction, forum content modification, and even backdoor installation. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the attack tree framework where the initial access vector leads to privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the principle of least privilege as the application likely executes database operations with elevated permissions that are not properly restricted. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability can be exploited by automated scanning tools, making it particularly dangerous in environments where systems are not properly monitored for unusual database access patterns or sql query execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2211 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to a patched version of MyBB that addresses this specific sql injection vulnerability, as version 1.2.6 and later contain proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks, which is a core requirement of secure coding practices and aligns with the mitre attack framework's recommendations for preventing injection attacks. Input validation should be implemented at multiple layers including client-side and server-side validation, with proper sanitization of all user-supplied data before processing. Additionally, implementing proper database access controls, including the principle of least privilege, can limit the damage that can be caused by successful sql injection attacks. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities, and implementing web application firewalls can provide additional protection against known attack patterns. Organizations should also establish proper monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect unusual sql query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability can be detected through database query analysis and anomalous access pattern recognition.