CVE-2004-1841 in Website Traffic Analyzer
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in MS Analysis module 2.0 for PHP-Nuke allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL via the referer field in an HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1841 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the MS Analysis module version 2.0 of the PHP-Nuke content management system. This security weakness specifically targets the handling of HTTP referer headers, which are commonly used by web applications to track the source of incoming requests. The flaw exists in the module's data processing logic where user-supplied referer information is directly incorporated into SQL query constructions without proper input sanitization or parameterization. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a serious weakness in software security architectures that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers craft malicious HTTP requests containing specially formatted referer headers that contain SQL payload commands. When the vulnerable PHP-Nuke system processes these requests, the malformed referer data gets concatenated directly into database queries, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. The attack vector leverages the HTTP referer header, which is typically used for analytics and logging purposes, making it an unexpected and often overlooked entry point for database exploitation. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it does not require authentication or specialized privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can send HTTP requests to the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise, unauthorized data modification, user account takeover, and potential system escalation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and system configuration details. The implications are severe for organizations relying on PHP-Nuke platforms, as the vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical business data and potentially enable further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to web application security posture, as it demonstrates the importance of input validation across all HTTP headers, not just standard form parameters. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) through the exploitation of web application interfaces, while also aligning with T1046 (Network Service Scanning) as attackers may probe for vulnerable systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1841 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their PHP-Nuke installations, specifically ensuring that all HTTP headers including referer are sanitized before being processed. The most effective immediate fix involves upgrading to patched versions of the MS Analysis module or applying the vendor-specific security patches that address the SQL injection vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious referer headers and anomalous database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing database access controls and privilege separation to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of following secure coding practices, particularly the principle of least privilege and input sanitization, which are fundamental requirements in both OWASP Top Ten security guidelines and ISO/IEC 27001 information security management standards.