CVE-2003-1504 in Goldlink
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in variables.php in Goldlink 3.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) vadmin_login or (2) vadmin_pass cookie in a request to goldlink.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1504 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the goldlink 3.0 content management system that fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected implementations. This vulnerability specifically targets the variables.php component where user authentication credentials are processed through cookie parameters rather than proper input validation mechanisms. The flaw exists in the authentication handling logic where the system fails to sanitize or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices within the goldlink 3.0 framework. When attackers manipulate the vadmin_login or vadmin_pass cookie values in requests directed to goldlink.php, the system directly incorporates these unvalidated parameters into sql command construction without adequate escaping or parameterization. This pattern aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where user-controllable data is improperly integrated into sql queries. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic case of insecure data handling that violates fundamental security principles established in secure coding practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or unauthorized access. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary sql commands against the database backend, potentially leading to complete system compromise including data exfiltration, unauthorized privilege escalation, and persistent backdoor establishment. The vulnerability affects the authentication system directly, meaning that successful exploitation could result in full administrative control over the goldlink 3.0 installation. This type of attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of sql injection to gain access to databases and extract sensitive information. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access or local system compromise to achieve their objectives.
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 authentication handling code path, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes sanitization before database interaction. Organizations should implement input validation that rejects or escapes special sql characters and employs prepared statements or parameterized queries to separate sql code from data. Additionally, the system should implement proper cookie security measures including secure flag settings and httponly attributes to reduce the attack surface. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding guidelines and demonstrates how legacy systems often contain inherent security flaws that require comprehensive security auditing and remediation efforts. The remediation process should also include regular security assessments to identify similar patterns across the entire application codebase, as sql injection vulnerabilities frequently occur in multiple locations within complex systems.