CVE-2013-6936 in Ajax forum stat
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in ajaxfs.php in the Ajax forum stat (Ajaxfs) Plugin 2.0 for MyBB (aka MyBulletinBoard) allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) tooltip or (2) usertooltip parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6936 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Ajax forum stat plugin version 2.0 for MyBB platforms. This vulnerability exists in the ajaxfs.php script which serves as the core component for handling asynchronous forum statistics functionality. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate database queries through specifically crafted inputs that are not properly sanitized or validated. The vulnerability affects the plugin's tooltip and usertooltip parameters, which are designed to provide user-specific information and forum statistics in real-time without page refreshes. These parameters are typically used to display user profiles, post counts, and other forum-related metrics through asynchronous javascript calls that communicate directly with the backend database.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the ajaxfs.php file. When the plugin processes the tooltip or usertooltip parameters, it directly incorporates user-supplied data into SQL query construction without adequate escaping or parameterization. This allows malicious actors to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is concatenated into SQL commands without proper validation or sanitization. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates through the web application's legitimate asynchronous communication channels, making it difficult to detect through traditional network monitoring approaches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted across multiple attack scenarios. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive user data including usernames, email addresses, and potentially passwords if they are stored in plaintext or weakly hashed formats. The attacker could also modify or delete forum data, escalate privileges within the database, or even gain access to the underlying server through database compromise. The vulnerability enables arbitrary code execution within the database context, potentially allowing attackers to perform actions such as creating new administrative accounts, modifying forum configurations, or accessing the entire forum database through SQL injection attacks. This type of vulnerability can be exploited through simple web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous for widely used forum platforms where administrators may not be actively monitoring for such attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. The primary remediation involves updating to the latest version of the Ajaxfs plugin where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper parameter sanitization and input validation. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation that employs prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Additionally, network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests. The implementation of web application firewalls can provide an additional layer of protection by filtering malicious SQL patterns before they reach the application. Security practitioners should also consider implementing proper access controls and database privilege management to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol traffic filtering, and T1190 which addresses exploit for client execution through web applications. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the MyBB platform or related plugins.