CVE-2004-2036 in Web Portal
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the art_print function in print.inc.php in unknown versions of jPortal before 2.3.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2025
The CVE-2004-2036 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the jPortal content management system that existed in versions prior to 2.3.1. This vulnerability specifically targets the art_print function located in the print.inc.php file, which serves as a core component for printing functionality within the application. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database queries through the id parameter. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of cwe-89 sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration, which systematically catalogs software weaknesses and their relationships to security flaws.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker supplies a malicious value through the id parameter in the print.inc.php script. The application fails to properly escape or validate this input before incorporating it into sql queries, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary sql commands that execute with the privileges of the web application's database user. This creates a severe attack surface where adversaries can potentially extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges to gain full administrative control over the database. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk due to the potential for attackers to leverage the sql injection to perform unauthorized operations against the backend database system.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2036 extends beyond simple data theft, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire jPortal installation. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can access sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and system configurations stored within the database. The vulnerability also enables potential denial of service conditions through database query manipulation, and in some cases may allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms by manipulating sql queries that verify user credentials. Organizations running affected versions of jPortal face significant risk of data breaches and regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments handling sensitive personal or financial information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2036 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch version 2.3.1 which addresses the input validation issues in the print.inc.php file. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization techniques including parameterized queries, prepared statements, and input validation routines that prevent malicious sql characters from being processed. The remediation process should include comprehensive code review of similar functions within the application to identify and address potential sql injection vulnerabilities in other components. Security measures should also include web application firewalls that can detect and block sql injection attempts, database activity monitoring, and regular security assessments to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other parts of the application. This vulnerability aligns with several attack techniques documented in the mitre att&ck framework under the execution and credential access categories, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures.