CVE-2004-1846 in News Manager Lite
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in News Manager Lite 2.5 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL code via the (1) ID parameter to more.asp, (2) ID parameter to category_news.asp, or (3) filter parameter to news_sort.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1846 represents a critical security flaw in News Manager Lite 2.5, a web-based content management system designed for news publishing and management. This vulnerability manifests as multiple SQL injection weaknesses that collectively expose the application to remote code execution attacks. The flaw specifically affects three distinct endpoints within the application's architecture, each presenting a unique pathway for malicious actors to exploit the underlying database interface. The affected parameters include the ID parameter in more.asp, the ID parameter in category_news.asp, and the filter parameter in news_sort.asp, all of which fail to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into SQL database queries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper input validation and parameterized queries when processing user-supplied data. When an attacker submits malicious input through any of these three parameters, the application directly concatenates the input into SQL command strings without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. This design flaw allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the context of the database connection, potentially enabling full database compromise. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper validation or escaping.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, data exfiltration, modification of news content, unauthorized user account creation, or even privilege escalation within the application environment. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit these vulnerabilities from anywhere on the internet without requiring local system access or authentication credentials. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and potential damage scope, as the vulnerability can be exploited by anyone who can access the vulnerable web application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1846 must focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized query construction throughout the application codebase. Organizations should immediately patch the News Manager Lite 2.5 application to the latest available version that addresses these SQL injection vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization measures can provide additional layers of protection. The remediation process should include thorough code review to ensure all database query parameters are properly escaped or parameterized, following secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. Network segmentation and access controls should also be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable applications to untrusted networks, reducing the potential attack surface and limiting the impact of successful exploitation attempts.