CVE-2012-2324 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in MyBB (aka MyBulletinBoard) before 1.6.7 allow remote administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors in the (1) user search or (2) Mail Log in the Admin Control Panel (ACP).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2324 represents a critical security flaw in MyBB versions prior to 1.6.7 that exposes the application to remote SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative control panel where authenticated administrators can leverage the flaw to execute arbitrary SQL commands. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within two distinct components of the administration interface, namely the user search functionality and the Mail Log section. These components fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database structure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input parameters within the admin control panel, where administrators typically perform user searches or review mail logs. When an administrator interacts with these functions, the application processes user input without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and execute unauthorized database operations. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the database communication channel, making it particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to potentially escalate privileges or extract sensitive data from the application's database.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2324 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides remote attackers with administrative privileges over affected MyBB installations. Once exploited, attackers can manipulate user accounts, modify forum content, access sensitive user data, and potentially gain complete control over the bulletin board system. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-89 indicates it falls into the category of SQL injection flaws, which are among the most prevalent and dangerous web application vulnerabilities. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK matrix under the T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application tactic, where adversaries target web applications to gain initial access and establish persistence. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire forum system, as attackers can modify or delete user data, manipulate forum configurations, and potentially use the compromised system as a launchpad for further attacks on the network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected MyBB installations to version 1.6.7 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit administrative access to the ACP, ensuring that only trusted personnel can access these sensitive functions. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, regularly monitoring administrative logs for unusual activity, and conducting thorough security assessments of the application's input handling mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper input validation practices as outlined in security standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.