CVE-2003-0286 in Forums 2000
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in register.asp in Snitz Forums 2000 before 3.4.03, and possibly 3.4.07 and earlier, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary stored procedures via the Email variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0286 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting Snitz Forums 2000 versions prior to 3.4.03 and potentially 3.4.07 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the register.asp component of the forum software, which processes user registration requests. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input submitted through the Email variable, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject malicious SQL code into the database query execution process. This represents a classic SQL injection vulnerability that falls under the CWE-89 category, specifically classified as improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, which is a fundamental weakness in database security practices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted email address containing SQL payload characters that bypass input validation mechanisms. When the register.asp script processes this input, it directly incorporates the unvalidated email parameter into an SQL query without proper parameterization or escaping. This allows attackers to manipulate the database query structure and potentially execute arbitrary stored procedures or commands with the privileges of the database user account. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, modify database contents, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected system. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-0286 is severe and multifaceted for organizations running vulnerable Snitz Forums installations. Beyond the immediate risk of unauthorized database access, this vulnerability exposes user registration data, including potentially sensitive personal information stored in the forum's database. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute administrative commands, modify forum content, delete user accounts, or even establish persistent backdoors within the system. The vulnerability also affects the integrity and availability of the entire forum platform, potentially causing service disruption while simultaneously compromising the confidentiality of stored data. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, and T1071.005 - Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, demonstrating how attackers can use web application vulnerabilities to gain system access. Organizations using this forum software face significant compliance risks, particularly in environments governed by regulations such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, or GDPR where database security is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0286 require immediate action including upgrading to Snitz Forums 3.4.03 or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their applications, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being incorporated into database operations. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. Regular security monitoring and code reviews are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future development cycles, particularly focusing on input validation and database query construction practices. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous SQL execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.