CVE-2004-1668 in Factory Subjects Module
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.php in Subjects 2.0 Postnuke module allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) pageid, (2) subid, or (3) catid parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1668 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Subjects 2.0 Postnuke module, specifically affecting the index.php script. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution risks through manipulation of input parameters, making it a significant concern for web application security. The flaw resides in how the application processes user-supplied data without proper sanitization or validation, creating an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to gain unauthorized access to underlying database systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the insecure handling of three specific parameters: pageid, subid, and catid. These parameters are directly incorporated into SQL query construction without adequate input filtering or parameterization. When an attacker submits malicious input through any of these parameters, the application's SQL engine processes the crafted payload as part of the database query rather than as simple data. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that can manipulate database contents, extract sensitive information, or potentially execute administrative operations within the database environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which classifies SQL injection as a common weakness in web applications where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents substantial risks to organizations running affected Postnuke installations. Remote attackers can leverage these injection points to perform data tampering, information disclosure, and potentially achieve complete database compromise. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system escalation, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute commands with database privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the Subjects module, which likely handles content management and categorization, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to disrupt services or extract sensitive content. Attackers following the tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework would utilize this vulnerability as part of their initial access and persistence phases, potentially moving laterally within the network infrastructure.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should implement strict input sanitization measures that filter or escape special characters that could be used in SQL injection attacks. The recommended solution involves using prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database interactions, ensuring that user input is treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles for database connections can significantly reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as SQL injection remains one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws according to industry security standards and threat intelligence reports.