CVE-2007-6639 in IPTBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in IPTBB 0.5.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in a viewdir action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6639 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the IPTBB 0.5.4 bulletin board software and earlier versions. This vulnerability specifically affects the index.php script and manifests when processing the id parameter during a viewdir action. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection conditions where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql commands without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls squarely within the ATT&CK framework under technique T1190 - exploit public-facing application, as it targets a web interface that is accessible to remote attackers without requiring authentication.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input for the id parameter that gets directly embedded into sql queries executed by the application server. When the viewdir action processes this parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before incorporating it into database queries, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary sql commands. This injection can potentially enable attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database records, execute administrative operations, or even gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with access to the vulnerable web application. The flaw essentially bypasses all application-level security controls designed to protect database integrity and can lead to complete system compromise if the database user has elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling full system compromise through database manipulation and privilege escalation. Attackers could use this vulnerability to escalate their access level, gain persistence within the system, or even pivot to other systems within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects not only the confidentiality of data but also the integrity and availability of the entire bulletin board system. Organizations running affected versions of IPTBB face significant risk of unauthorized data access, potential data corruption, and service disruption. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices and highlights the critical importance of input validation and parameterized queries in web application development. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in complete database compromise, leading to potential regulatory compliance violations and significant financial and reputational damage for affected organizations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6639 should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates to versions that address this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent malicious sql characters from being processed as part of database queries. The implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements should be mandatory for all database interactions to prevent sql injection attacks. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional layers of defense, though these should not replace proper code-level fixes. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of keeping software up to date and following secure coding practices as outlined in industry standards and best practices for web application security. Organizations should also implement proper monitoring and logging of database activities to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain compliance with security frameworks such as those defined by the owasp project and nist cybersecurity frameworks.