CVE-2003-1244 in phpBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in page_header.php in phpBB 2.0, 2.0.1 and 2.0.2 allows remote attackers to brute force user passwords and possibly gain unauthorized access to forums via the forum_id parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1244 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the phpBB 2.0 forum software ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically targets the page_header.php component and affects versions 2.0, 2.0.1, and 2.0.2 of the popular open-source bulletin board system. The flaw manifests through improper input validation of the forum_id parameter in the index.php script, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the application's database interface. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications, making it a prime target for attackers seeking unauthorized access to forum systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the forum_id parameter to inject malicious sql commands into the application's database queries. This injection allows for the extraction of user credentials and potentially full system compromise through brute force attacks against user passwords. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it enables attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized administrative access to the forum infrastructure. The attack vector operates remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible forum installations. This weakness directly violates the principle of input sanitization and demonstrates poor secure coding practices in the application's data handling procedures.
The operational consequences of CVE-2003-1244 are severe for organizations relying on vulnerable phpBB installations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to systematically brute force user credentials, potentially gaining access to user accounts and forum administrative functions. The vulnerability creates an entry point for persistent threats that can lead to complete forum compromise, data exfiltration, and potential use as a staging ground for further attacks. Organizations may experience service disruption, loss of user trust, and potential regulatory compliance violations if user data is compromised. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in unauthorized content modification, user account takeover, and the potential for attackers to establish backdoors within the forum infrastructure, making it a significant security risk for any organization using affected phpBB versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1244 require immediate implementation of security patches and code modifications to address the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should upgrade to phpBB versions 2.0.3 or later where this vulnerability has been resolved through proper input validation and parameter sanitization. The recommended approach involves implementing prepared statements and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks, aligning with the secure coding practices outlined in the owasp top ten security risks. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and block malicious sql injection attempts. Additionally, administrators should implement account lockout mechanisms and strong password policies to reduce the effectiveness of brute force attacks. The vulnerability's remediation directly addresses the attack techniques documented in the mitre attack framework under the credential access and execution phases, requiring comprehensive security measures to prevent exploitation. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be implemented to ensure ongoing protection against similar vulnerabilities in the forum's codebase.