CVE-2007-6083 in IceBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in admin/index.php in IceBB 1.0-rc6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the X-Forwarded-For HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2024
The CVE-2007-6083 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the IceBB 1.0-rc6 web application framework that fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the affected system. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface component of IceBB, where the application fails to properly sanitize input data from the X-Forwarded-For HTTP header. The X-Forwarded-For header is commonly used by web proxies and load balancers to identify the original IP address of a client connecting to a web server, making it a legitimate part of the HTTP communication protocol that developers often overlook in their security validation processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious X-Forwarded-For header value that contains sql payload commands which are then directly incorporated into database queries within the admin/index.php script. This flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices, where the application assumes that the X-Forwarded-For header value is trustworthy and safe for direct database insertion without proper escaping or parameterization. The vulnerability is classified as a classic sql injection attack vector that operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the administrative backend of the web application.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability provides remote attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive user data, modify database records, create new administrative accounts, or even escalate privileges within the application. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the server or network infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using IceBB 1.0-rc6 for their bulletin board systems, making them susceptible to unauthorized data access and potential service disruption.
The security implications of CVE-2007-6083 align with several established cybersecurity frameworks and threat models. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which defines sql injection as a weakness that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input. Additionally, this flaw fits within the attack pattern taxonomy of the mitre ATT&CK framework under the technique of command and control through web application exploitation. Organizations affected by this vulnerability face significant risk of data breaches, compliance violations, and potential regulatory penalties, particularly in environments governed by standards such as pci dss, hipaa, or gdpr where database security is paramount. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6083 should focus on immediate code-level fixes that implement proper input sanitization and parameterized queries. The recommended approach involves validating and escaping all input data from the X-Forwarded-For header before processing, implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent sql injection, and removing or restricting the use of this header in authentication contexts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious header values, conducting comprehensive security audits of all application components, and ensuring that the IceBB application is updated to a patched version. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems and proper access controls should complement these technical fixes to provide defense in depth against similar vulnerabilities.