CVE-2004-2456 in MiniBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in miniBB 1.7f and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the user parameter in a userinfo action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2456 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the miniBB 1.7f forum software and earlier versions. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php script and occurs during the userinfo action when processing the user parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the database queries by injecting malicious sql commands through the user input field, effectively bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of cwe-89 sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration, which specifically addresses the improper handling of sql queries where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into database commands without adequate sanitization or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious user parameter value that contains sql payload designed to manipulate the underlying database operations. When the miniBB application processes this input through the userinfo action in index.php, the sql injection occurs because the application fails to properly escape or parameterize the user input before incorporating it into the sql query structure. This creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands on the database server, potentially allowing them to extract sensitive information, modify database contents, or even gain unauthorized access to the underlying system. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation and data sanitization practices within the application's database interaction layer.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire forum system. Attackers could potentially access user credentials, personal information, and forum content, leading to widespread privacy violations and potential identity theft. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the server or knowledge of internal network structures. This vulnerability also poses significant risks to the system's availability, as attackers could potentially execute destructive sql commands that could corrupt database structures or render the forum completely inaccessible. The implications align with attack techniques documented in the mitre attack framework under the execution and credential access phases, particularly targeting the database layer as a primary attack vector.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application. Organizations should implement prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is never directly concatenated into sql commands, which directly addresses the root cause of the vulnerability. Additionally, input sanitization measures including character escaping, length validation, and whitelist-based input filtering should be enforced to prevent malicious payloads from reaching the database layer. The recommended approach aligns with security best practices outlined in owasp top ten 2017 and subsequent security frameworks that emphasize the importance of proper data validation and sql query construction. System administrators should also implement network-level protections including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar flaws in legacy applications.