CVE-2003-1196 in Vieboard
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in viewtopic.asp in VieBoard 2.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the forumid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1196 represents a critical sql injection flaw within VieBoard 2.6 forum software that exists in the viewtopic.asp component. This vulnerability specifically targets the forumid parameter which is processed without proper input validation or sanitization, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database layer. The flaw resides in the application's failure to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into sql query constructs, thereby enabling attackers to manipulate the intended database operations through crafted malicious inputs.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted forumid parameter value that contains sql payload instructions. When the viewtopic.asp script processes this parameter, it directly incorporates the user input into sql query strings without appropriate sanitization measures. This design flaw falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is embedded into sql commands. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data retrieval, modification, deletion, or even administrative actions depending on the database permissions assigned to the application's database user account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive user information, forum configurations, and underlying database structures. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential information such as user credentials, private messages, forum posts, and other sensitive data stored within the VieBoard database. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects a core forum functionality, meaning that any user accessing the vulnerable forum could potentially be exploited. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which describes application layer protocol manipulation, specifically targeting web application interfaces for data exfiltration and command execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application's database interaction layer, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly escaped or parameterized before being incorporated into sql commands. Organizations should also implement input sanitization routines that filter out potentially malicious sql characters and sequences. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version of VieBoard that addresses this specific vulnerability. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, though they should not be relied upon as the sole mitigation strategy. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to database security principles that prevent direct sql command construction from user input as outlined in industry standards for web application security.