CVE-2003-1103 in CyberDOCS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in loginact.asp for Hummingbird CyberDOCS before 3.9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1103 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the loginact.asp component of Hummingbird CyberDOCS versions prior to 3.9. This security weakness resides in the authentication mechanism of the web application, specifically in how user input is processed during the login sequence. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate the sql query structure by injecting specially crafted input into the login form fields, thereby bypassing normal authentication procedures and gaining unauthorized access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the login processing script. When user credentials are submitted through the login form, the application fails to properly escape or filter special sql characters and keywords that could alter the intended query execution path. This insufficient sanitization creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious sql code that gets executed by the database server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities, and aligns with attack techniques documented in the attack pattern taxonomy under the category of sql injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database. This can result in data theft, data manipulation, privilege escalation, and potentially complete system compromise. Attackers could extract sensitive user information, modify database records, create new user accounts with administrative privileges, or even delete critical system data. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system and can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Hummingbird CyberDOCS software to version 3.9 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, including the use of parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection. Security best practices such as regular security assessments, code reviews focusing on input handling, and maintaining up-to-date security patches should be established to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and aligns with the attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the category of credential access and execution.