CVE-2004-0017 in phpGroupWare
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the (1) calendar and (2) infolog modules for phpgroupware 0.9.14 allow remote attackers to perform unauthorized database operations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0017 represents a critical security flaw affecting phpgroupware version 0.9.14, specifically within its calendar and infolog modules. This issue manifests as multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities that enable remote attackers to execute unauthorized database operations without proper authentication. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the affected modules, allowing malicious users to inject arbitrary SQL commands through carefully crafted input parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper handling of user-supplied data within the calendar and infolog components of the phpgroupware application. When users interact with these modules, the application fails to adequately sanitize or escape input values before incorporating them into SQL query constructions. This weakness creates an environment where attackers can manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL code through various input vectors including form fields, URL parameters, or API endpoints. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to complete database compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0017 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data retrieval, modification, deletion, and potentially even database schema manipulation. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability from any location without requiring prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. The consequences include unauthorized access to sensitive information stored in the calendar and infolog modules, potential data corruption, and in severe cases, complete system compromise through database-level attacks. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities and T1071.004 for application layer protocols.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures across all user-facing interfaces within the affected modules. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks, as recommended by OWASP best practices and the CWE guidelines. Additionally, regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of phpgroupware or implementing proper input sanitization measures that escape or validate all user-supplied data before database processing. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.