CVE-2003-0486 in phpBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in viewtopic.php for phpBB 2.0.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to steal password hashes via the topic_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0486 represents a critical sql injection flaw in phpBB version 2.0.5 and earlier, specifically within the viewtopic.php script. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the topic_id parameter, which is used to retrieve and display forum topics. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands through the topic_id parameter, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive database information. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanism of phpBB, as it permits attackers to extract password hashes from the database through carefully crafted sql injection payloads. This issue affects the core security architecture of the forum software, as it undermines the integrity of user authentication data. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which denotes improper neutralization of special elements used in an sql command, a fundamental weakness in database interaction security. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on phpBB for forum functionality. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as password hashes obtained through this vulnerability can be subjected to offline dictionary attacks or brute force attempts to compromise user accounts. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 which involves data from information repositories, specifically targeting database credentials and user authentication data. The flaw demonstrates poor input handling practices and inadequate parameter sanitization within the application's database query construction process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malicious topic_id parameter value that contains sql injection code. The phpBB application fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into sql queries that retrieve topic information from the database. When the application processes the malicious input, the sql injection payload executes within the database context, potentially allowing attackers to extract password hashes from the users table. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because phpBB's authentication system stores password hashes in the database, making them accessible through sql injection attacks that bypass normal application security controls. The injection can be crafted to manipulate sql queries to return additional data beyond the intended topic information, specifically targeting the user table where password hashes are stored. This flaw exists due to the application's reliance on direct sql query construction using user-supplied input without proper sql escaping or parameterization. The vulnerability affects all versions of phpBB up to and including 2.0.5, indicating a long-standing security issue in the application's codebase. The specific nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly challenging to defend against since it operates at the database interaction layer where traditional web application firewalls may not effectively detect malicious sql payloads. The exploitation process typically involves crafting sql injection strings that can bypass basic input validation while still producing valid sql syntax that retrieves the desired information from the database.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-0486 extends far beyond the immediate disclosure of password hashes, as it creates a persistent security risk for all affected phpBB installations. Organizations running vulnerable versions of phpBB face potential account compromise, data breaches, and reputational damage when this vulnerability is exploited. The stolen password hashes can be used for account takeovers, unauthorized access to user accounts, and further attacks within the compromised network. The vulnerability also affects the overall security posture of web applications that depend on phpBB for forum functionality, as it demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation and database security practices. The risk is compounded by the fact that password hashes obtained through sql injection attacks can be cracked using modern password cracking tools, potentially leading to full account compromise. This vulnerability affects not only the forum administrators but also all users of the affected phpBB installations, as their authentication credentials become accessible to attackers. The impact on system availability and integrity is significant, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized modifications of forum content and user data. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to the underlying systems hosting the phpBB application. The security implications extend to potential compliance violations, as organizations may fail to meet regulatory requirements for protecting user authentication data. The long-term impact includes the need for extensive security audits, user account resets, and potential legal consequences for data breach incidents.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0486 require immediate action to address the sql injection vulnerability in phpBB installations. The primary and most effective mitigation is to upgrade to phpBB version 2.0.6 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization for the topic_id parameter. Organizations should also implement proper sql parameterization techniques in their database interactions to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in custom applications. Input validation should be strengthened to reject or escape special sql characters in all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in database queries. Web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block sql injection patterns in incoming requests, though this should not be considered a primary defense mechanism. Database access controls should be implemented to limit the privileges of application database accounts, reducing the potential impact of successful sql injection attacks. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation flaws in other application components. Organizations should also implement proper logging and monitoring of database queries to detect anomalous sql patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as the owasp top ten and the cwe top 25 to prevent sql injection vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication for forum administrators and users can provide additional protection layers against account compromise even if password hashes are obtained through sql injection attacks. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be established to ensure timely deployment of security fixes for all web applications and platforms in use.