CVE-2004-2322 in phpWebSite
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the (1) announce and (2) notes modules of phpWebSite before 0.9.3-2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries, as demonstrated using the ANN_id parameter to the announce module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2322 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting the phpWebSite content management system prior to version 0.9.3-2. This vulnerability specifically impacts two core modules within the application: the announce module and the notes module. The security weakness manifests through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the ANN_id parameter within the announce module, which serves as the primary attack vector for executing malicious SQL commands against the underlying database system. The flaw stems from the application's failure to implement proper parameterized queries or input sanitization techniques, creating an environment where malicious SQL code can be injected and subsequently executed with the privileges of the database user account.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a persistent and dangerous flaw in web applications. When an attacker supplies malicious input through the ANN_id parameter, the phpWebSite application directly concatenates this input into SQL query strings without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. This allows attackers to manipulate the intended query structure and inject additional SQL commands that can retrieve, modify, or delete database contents. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be leveraged to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or system configurations, and potentially gain unauthorized access to the entire database infrastructure. The attack requires no special privileges beyond basic network access to the vulnerable web application and can be executed remotely.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2322 extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with extensive control over the affected system's database operations. Successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise, allowing unauthorized users to perform administrative functions, modify or delete critical application data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the system. The vulnerability affects the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of the entire phpWebSite installation, making it a severe threat to organizations relying on this platform for content management. Additionally, the flaw can serve as a stepping stone for further attacks, as compromised database credentials may be used to access other interconnected systems or applications that share the same database infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation can also lead to denial of service conditions when attackers intentionally corrupt database structures or execute resource-intensive queries.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2322 focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized query mechanisms to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should immediately upgrade to phpWebSite version 0.9.3-2 or later, which includes patches addressing the identified vulnerability. System administrators should implement proper input sanitization by using prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database interactions, ensuring that user-supplied data cannot alter the intended structure of SQL commands. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database user privilege management can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against SQL injection attacks. The remediation process should also include thorough code review of all application modules to identify and address similar vulnerabilities, while establishing security monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Compliance with industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks should guide the implementation of comprehensive security measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future.