CVE-2004-2474 in PHPNews
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in PHPNews 1.2.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the mid parameter to sendtofriend.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2474 represents a critical sql injection flaw within PHPNews version 1.2.3 that exposes the application to remote code execution attacks through the sendtofriend.php script. This vulnerability specifically targets the mid parameter which is improperly validated and sanitized before being incorporated into sql queries. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization practices where user-supplied data flows directly into database operations without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious sql payloads within the mid parameter that, when processed by the vulnerable application, execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database server. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and output encoding that violates fundamental security principles for web application development.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the established patterns outlined in the common weakness enumeration framework where CWE-89 represents sql injection vulnerabilities that occur when untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization. The attack vector specifically targets the sendtofriend.php endpoint which likely processes user requests to forward news articles to friends while maintaining a database connection to store or retrieve article identifiers. When the mid parameter contains malicious sql syntax, the application's sql query construction process fails to properly escape or parameterize the input, allowing attackers to manipulate the intended sql command structure. This vulnerability aligns with the attack technique described in the attack tree framework where adversaries can leverage sql injection to escalate privileges, extract sensitive data, or modify database contents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential system infiltration. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive user information, modify article content, manipulate user accounts, or even escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the application's database layer. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or physical presence to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments. Organizations running vulnerable PHPNews installations face significant risks including data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations that could result in financial penalties and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and implementation of proper input validation measures. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of PHPNews that addresses the sql injection vulnerability through proper parameterization of database queries and comprehensive input sanitization. Additionally organizations should implement proper web application firewall rules that can detect and block malicious sql injection patterns targeting the specific mid parameter. Input validation should include strict type checking, length limitations, and character set restrictions to prevent malicious payloads from reaching database layers. The implementation of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify and remediate similar sql injection flaws in their web applications, following the security best practices established by industry standards such as owasp top ten and iso 27001.