CVE-2004-2175 in Reviewpost Php Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in ReviewPost PHP Pro allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) product parameter to showproduct.php or (2) cat parameter to showcat.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2175 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the ReviewPost PHP Pro application that exposes multiple attack vectors for remote threat actors. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically targeting the product parameter in showproduct.php and the cat parameter in showcat.php. The flaw enables malicious users to inject arbitrary SQL commands directly into the application's database layer, bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the ReviewPost PHP Pro application fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before incorporating it into SQL queries. When a remote attacker submits malicious input through the product or cat parameters, the application processes this unvalidated data directly within database query structures. This allows attackers to manipulate the intended query execution flow and potentially execute unauthorized database operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data retrieval as it can enable full database compromise, data exfiltration, and even privilege escalation within the application's database environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects core navigation functions of the application, making it accessible through normal user interaction patterns.
Operationally, the implications of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted for affected organizations. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, product information, and potentially administrative credentials stored within the database. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to execute successful attacks. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in internet-facing applications. The SQL injection can be used to extract entire database schemas, modify or delete critical data, and potentially establish persistent access through database-level backdoors. Organizations using ReviewPost PHP Pro would face regulatory compliance issues and potential legal consequences if customer data was compromised through such an attack vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2175 should prioritize immediate patch application from the software vendor, as this vulnerability has existed for over two decades and likely has well-documented remediation procedures. The primary defense mechanism involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent user-supplied data from being interpreted as executable SQL code. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns in real-time traffic. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege for database accounts used by the application can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security weaknesses in the application's architecture. The vulnerability serves as a classic example of why input sanitization and secure coding practices are fundamental requirements for all web application development processes.