CVE-2004-1938 in Phorum
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in userlogin.php in Phorum 3.4.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via doubly hex-encoded characters such as "%2527", which is translated to " ", as demonstrated using the phorum_uriauth parameter to list.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1938 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Phorum 3.4.7 bulletin board system, specifically affecting the userlogin.php component. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle specially crafted malicious input sequences. The flaw manifests when the application processes user authentication requests through the phorum_uriauth parameter, which is subsequently directed to the list.php script. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting doubly hex-encoded characters such as "%2527" which decode to single quotes, thereby manipulating the underlying SQL query structure. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic example of improper input handling that violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten.
The technical execution of this vulnerability relies on the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. When the phorum_uriauth parameter is processed, the system does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could alter the SQL statement's intended behavior. The doubly hex-encoding technique used by attackers serves as a bypass mechanism to evade basic input filtering measures that might detect simple single quote characters. This approach exploits the fact that the application's input validation occurs at a level where encoded characters can still influence the final SQL command execution. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanism, allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands without requiring legitimate credentials. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to complete database compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1938 extends far beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling attackers to gain complete control over the affected database system. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion of critical forum information including user credentials, private messages, and forum content. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers can exploit it without physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Database administrators could face severe consequences including data loss, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations if sensitive user information is accessed or modified. The vulnerability also enables attackers to escalate their privileges within the system, potentially leading to full system compromise. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-89 SQL Injection, which is classified as a high-risk weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and establish long-term defensive measures. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques, including the use of parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should also implement proper output encoding when displaying user-supplied data to prevent secondary injection vectors. The application should employ robust input filtering mechanisms that can detect and block malicious encoded sequences before they reach the database layer. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database permissions can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to identify suspicious patterns of SQL injection attempts. This vulnerability's exploitation aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol DNS, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive strategies that address both network and application-level threats. Regular security updates and patches should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in the system.