CVE-2000-1233 in Phorum
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in read.php3 and other scripts in Phorum 3.0.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries via the sSQL parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-1233 represents a critical sql injection flaw affecting Phorum 3.0.7 bulletin board software. This vulnerability exists in multiple scripts including read.php3 where user input is improperly handled in the ssql parameter. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands that are then executed by the underlying database engine, potentially granting unauthorized access to sensitive information or enabling complete database compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql command strings without proper sanitization. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous. Attackers can manipulate the ssql parameter to append malicious sql statements that bypass normal access controls, potentially leading to data extraction, modification, or deletion operations. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers may gain elevated privileges or even execute operating system commands depending on the database system and underlying configuration.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations utilizing Phorum 3.0.7 systems as it enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations from external networks. The attack surface is broad since multiple scripts are affected, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. Organizations may experience data breaches, loss of confidentiality, and potential service disruption. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles outlined in the mitre attack framework where such flaws typically map to techniques like credential access and defense evasion. The ease of exploitation combined with the potential for widespread impact makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for web applications handling sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected Phorum version to address the input validation deficiencies. Organizations must implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks. Input sanitization measures should be strengthened to validate and filter all user-supplied data before processing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks that emphasize proper input validation and output encoding as primary defenses against sql injection attacks.