CVE-2003-1533 in PhpPass
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in accesscontrol.php in PhpPass 2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) uid and (2) pwd parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1533 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PhpPass 2 web application's accesscontrol.php component. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution attacks through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query structures. The flaw specifically affects the uid and pwd parameters, which are processed without adequate security measures to prevent malicious input from being interpreted as part of the SQL command rather than as data.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The technical implementation flaw occurs when the application constructs SQL queries by directly concatenating user input from the uid and pwd parameters without employing proper parameterization or input sanitization techniques. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input strings that alter the intended query structure, potentially allowing them to execute unauthorized database operations such as data retrieval, modification, or deletion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise to include full database system access and potential lateral movement within affected networks. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive user credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the exploitation of remote services through injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1533 must focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent malicious SQL code from being executed. Organizations should immediately apply patches provided by PhpPass developers or upgrade to supported versions that address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls, input sanitization routines, and regular security code reviews can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that all user inputs are properly escaped or parameterized before being incorporated into database queries, thereby preventing the injection of malicious SQL commands that could compromise system integrity and data confidentiality.