CVE-2004-2161 in TUTOS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in file_overview.php in TUTOS 1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the link_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2161 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the TUTOS 1.1 web application, specifically affecting the file_overview.php component. This security weakness enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries by exploiting improper input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests through the link_id parameter which is directly incorporated into sql statements without adequate sanitization or parameterization, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to database resources.
This sql injection vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing sql injection attacks. The vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to inject malicious sql payloads through the link_id parameter, which then gets executed within the application's database context. This type of vulnerability represents a significant threat as it can potentially lead to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized privilege escalation within the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database. This capability allows malicious actors to perform unauthorized data manipulation, including data deletion, modification, or unauthorized access to sensitive information. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. Additionally, the vulnerability could potentially serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate code-level fixes and broader security architecture improvements. The primary remediation involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user input cannot be interpreted as sql commands. Input validation and sanitization mechanisms should be strengthened to reject or escape potentially dangerous characters and patterns. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that database accounts used by the application have minimal required permissions. Security practitioners should also implement web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious sql injection patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar flaws across the application stack. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous sql execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.