CVE-2004-0304 in Webstores 2000
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in browse_items.asp in WebCortex WebStores 2000 6.0 allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access and execute arbitrary commands via the Search_Text parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0304 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the WebCortex WebStores 2000 6.0 web application, specifically affecting the browse_items.asp component. This security weakness enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries through the Search_Text parameter, potentially leading to unauthorized system access and command execution. The vulnerability resides in the application's insufficient input validation mechanisms, allowing malicious users to inject sql commands that bypass normal authentication and authorization checks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the web application directly incorporates user-supplied input from the Search_Text parameter into sql query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This primitive approach to input handling creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can alter the intended flow of database operations. The flaw maps directly to CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a widespread weakness in web applications, where untrusted data is concatenated into sql commands without adequate escaping or validation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even escalate privileges to execute arbitrary system commands on the underlying server.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0304 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential full system compromise capabilities. Remote exploitation allows adversaries to bypass authentication mechanisms entirely, gaining access to administrative functions and sensitive customer information stored within the webstore's database. This vulnerability particularly affects e-commerce environments where personal data, payment information, and business-critical data are at risk. The consequences include potential data breaches, financial losses, regulatory compliance violations, and significant reputational damage to organizations using the vulnerable software. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query construction. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts, while also implementing robust input sanitization measures that filter or escape special characters commonly used in sql injection attacks. The most effective remediation involves rewriting the vulnerable code to utilize prepared statements or parameterized queries, ensuring that user input is treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, regular security assessments, code reviews focusing on input handling, and implementation of least privilege principles for database access should be enforced to reduce the attack surface and prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.