CVE-2004-0732 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in the Search module for Php-Nuke allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL statements via the instory parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0732 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the search module of Php-Nuke version 7.6 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the index.php file within the search module where user input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into sql query constructions. The instory parameter serves as the primary attack vector, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands that bypass normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper sql query building practices that directly concatenate user-supplied data into database queries without appropriate escaping or parameterization techniques.
This sql injection vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets the core search functionality of a content management system, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even escalate privileges within the affected system. The vulnerability is categorized as a remote code execution risk because successful exploitation can enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the database server, potentially leading to full system compromise. According to the mitre attack framework, this vulnerability would map to the execution tactic under the command and control phase, as attackers could leverage the sql injection to establish persistent access through database manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0732 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can result in complete database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the Php-Nuke system. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to retrieve user credentials, personal information, and other confidential data stored in the database. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on Php-Nuke for content management, making it particularly dangerous for websites hosting sensitive information such as corporate portals, educational institutions, or government websites. The exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, as attackers only need to craft malicious sql payloads and submit them through the instory parameter, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to automated attack tools and script kiddies.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the official patch released by the Php-Nuke development team, which implements proper input sanitization and sql query parameterization. Organizations should also implement input validation at multiple layers including web application firewalls, database-level restrictions, and proper sql query construction practices. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate other potential sql injection vulnerabilities within the system. Network segmentation and database access controls should be implemented to limit the potential damage even if other security measures fail, ensuring that database accounts used by the web application have minimal required privileges to reduce the impact of successful exploitation attempts.