CVE-2003-1598 in WordPress
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in log.header.php in WordPress 0.7 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the posts variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1598 represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in the log.header.php file of wordpress version 0.7 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization or validation. The flaw exists within the handling of the posts variable parameter, which is processed in the log.header.php script that serves as a critical component in wordpress's logging and administrative functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the posts parameter to inject malicious sql code that gets executed within the database context. This occurs because the wordpress application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into sql queries, allowing attackers to construct malicious sql statements that bypass normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the logging functionality where user-supplied data is directly concatenated into sql queries without appropriate escaping or parameterization techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary sql commands on the affected wordpress installation's database server. This capability enables unauthorized users to perform data manipulation, including reading sensitive information, modifying database contents, deleting records, and potentially escalating privileges within the database environment. The vulnerability affects the core administrative and logging functionality of wordpress, making it particularly dangerous as it can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the entire website's data infrastructure.
Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through simple http requests that include malicious payloads in the posts parameter, making the exploitation relatively straightforward and accessible. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper sql injection prevention measures such as parameterized queries, input sanitization, and output encoding. Organizations using wordpress 0.7 or earlier versions face significant risk of data breaches, website defacement, and potential complete system compromise if this vulnerability remains unpatched. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that wordpress was widely used and the vulnerability affects the fundamental logging mechanisms that track user activities and system operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to wordpress version 1.0 or later where this specific flaw has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization measures. Additionally, implementing proper sql injection prevention techniques such as parameterized queries, stored procedures, and input validation should be enforced across all web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of regular security updates, proper input validation, and adherence to secure coding practices in web application development to prevent similar issues from occurring in modern systems.