CVE-2004-2754 in YaBB SE
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in SSI.php in YaBB SE 1.5.4, 1.5.3, and possibly other versions before 1.5.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the ID_MEMBER parameter to the (1) recentTopics and (2) welcome functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2754 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the YaBB SE forum software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions 1.5.4 and 1.5.3, with potential impact extending to earlier releases. This vulnerability resides within the SSI.php file and manifests through two distinct attack vectors: the recentTopics and welcome functions. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the ID_MEMBER parameter, which serves as the primary entry point for malicious SQL command injection attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a direct consequence of insufficient input validation and improper data handling in database operations. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets core forum functionality that users routinely interact with, making exploitation both feasible and potentially widespread. When the ID_MEMBER parameter is passed to either the recentTopics or welcome functions, the application constructs SQL queries without adequate protection against malicious input, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account. This creates a pathway for complete database compromise, including unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, as well as potential privilege escalation within the application environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to manipulate forum content, potentially compromising user accounts, defacing the forum interface, or establishing persistent backdoors through database manipulation. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the server, making it particularly dangerous for public-facing web applications. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the software's security architecture that was not adequately addressed through the initial development cycle, suggesting potential gaps in code review processes and security testing protocols. Organizations running affected versions of YaBB SE face significant risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, with the potential for cascading effects if the compromised forum serves as an entry point to broader network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate implementation of the vendor-provided security patch for YaBB SE 1.5.5, which addresses the input validation issues in SSI.php. Until the patch is applied, administrators should implement input validation measures at the web application firewall level, specifically filtering and sanitizing the ID_MEMBER parameter before it reaches the vulnerable functions. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts by monitoring for characteristic SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege for database accounts used by YaBB SE can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, ensuring that database user permissions are restricted to only essential operations. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, while also establishing proper monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive security controls throughout the application lifecycle, including proper input validation, output encoding, and secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.