CVE-2004-2056 in Nucleus
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in action.php in Nucleus CMS 3.01 allows remote attackers execute arbitrary SQL statements via the itemid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2056 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Nucleus CMS 3.01 content management system, specifically affecting the action.php script. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries. The flaw is particularly dangerous as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands without requiring authentication or administrative privileges, making it a severe threat to web application security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of the itemid parameter within the action.php file. When users provide input through this parameter, the application directly incorporates it into SQL query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This primitive approach to database interaction creates an environment where malicious SQL code can be injected and subsequently executed by the database engine. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted input is directly included in SQL commands without proper escaping or parameterization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with extensive control over the affected Nucleus CMS installation. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive user information, including login credentials and personal data stored within the database. Attackers might also gain the ability to modify or delete content, inject malicious code into the website, or even escalate privileges within the system. The remote nature of this attack vector means that threat actors can exploit the vulnerability from anywhere on the internet, without requiring physical access to the target server. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to automated attack tools and increases the potential attack surface significantly.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability effectively. The primary remediation involves proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code, ensuring that all user-supplied data is sanitized before being processed. The implementation of prepared statements and stored procedures can prevent the injection of malicious SQL code by separating the SQL logic from the data. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious database access patterns. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for proper application hardening and network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement within compromised systems. The vulnerability also emphasizes the importance of keeping CMS platforms updated, as newer versions typically include improved security measures against such injection attacks.