CVE-2004-1966 in OpenBB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Open Bulletin Board (OpenBB) 1.0.6 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) FID parameter in board.php, (2) sortorder, perpage, or id parameters in member.php, (3) forums parameter in search.php, or (4) PID or FID parameters in post.php.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1966 represents a critical security flaw in Open Bulletin Board version 1.0.6 and earlier systems, specifically targeting SQL injection vulnerabilities across multiple script files. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's database interaction layers, creating exploitable entry points for malicious actors to manipulate backend database operations. The vulnerability affects core bulletin board functionality and demonstrates the widespread nature of SQL injection flaws in web applications of that era.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through direct parameter manipulation in four distinct script files where user input is improperly handled. In board.php, the FID parameter creates an injection point that allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code into the database query execution chain. Similarly, member.php contains three vulnerable parameters including sortorder, perpage, and id that can be exploited to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The search.php script presents another attack vector through the forums parameter, while post.php contains injection points in both PID and FID parameters. These vulnerabilities align with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in application code where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables complete database compromise through arbitrary SQL command execution. Attackers can leverage these injection points to extract sensitive user information, modify database records, delete content, or even escalate privileges within the affected system. The remote nature of these attacks means that malicious actors do not require physical access to the system or local network presence, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for publicly accessible bulletin board installations. This vulnerability type directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.005, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1190, which describes exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1966 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query approaches across all affected script files. System administrators should upgrade to OpenBB versions 1.0.7 or later where these vulnerabilities have been addressed through proper input sanitization and query parameterization. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls, input validation routines, and database access controls can provide additional protection layers. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing database compromise attacks. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web applications to identify similar injection vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of their infrastructure. The remediation process must include thorough code review and implementation of prepared statement usage to prevent future occurrences of this class of vulnerability, aligning with industry best practices established in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.