CVE-2004-1949 in Postnuke
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in PostNuke 7.2.6 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL via (1) the sif parameter to index.php in the Comments module or (2) timezoneoffset parameter to changeinfo.php in the Your_Account module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1949 represents a critical sql injection flaw affecting PostNuke versions 7.2.6 and earlier, demonstrating a fundamental weakness in input validation and query construction within web applications. This vulnerability exists in two distinct attack vectors within the PostNuke content management system, specifically targeting the Comments module and the Your_Account module. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate database queries through specifically crafted parameters, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of data stored within the PostNuke application's database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user input within the application's php scripts. When the sif parameter is passed to index.php within the Comments module, or when the timezoneoffset parameter is manipulated in changeinfo.php within the Your_Account module, the application fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before incorporating them into sql queries. This lack of input sanitization creates an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary sql commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account under which the PostNuke application operates. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that enables unauthorized database access. The attack vectors demonstrate how seemingly innocuous parameters can become entry points for sophisticated database exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to extract sensitive user credentials, personal information, and application configuration data stored in the database. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers need not have physical access to the system, enabling widespread exploitation from any internet-connected location. Organizations running affected PostNuke versions face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability also provides attackers with opportunities for privilege escalation and persistent access, as demonstrated by ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials as a means of gaining access to systems. Database administrators and security teams must consider this vulnerability as a critical threat requiring immediate remediation to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive organizational data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1949 should prioritize immediate patching of affected PostNuke installations to version 7.3.0 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for these sql injection vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement input validation and parameterized queries throughout their applications to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. Network segmentation and database access controls should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns and query execution that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential sql injection vulnerabilities within the application infrastructure. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched applications to ensure that the fixes do not introduce regressions in functionality while maintaining the security improvements necessary to protect against sql injection attacks. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts.