CVE-2005-0265 in Owl Intranet Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in browse.php in OWL 0.7 and 0.8 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) parent or (2) sortposted parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0265 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting OWL versions 0.7 and 0.8, specifically within the browse.php script. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations. The affected parameters include both the parent and sortposted variables, which are processed without adequate input validation or sanitization mechanisms. This weakness falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a high-risk vulnerability in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The attack vector allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands directly into the database query execution chain, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input for either the parent or sortposted parameters in the browse.php script. These parameters are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper parameterization or input sanitization, creating an environment where SQL commands can be executed in the context of the database user account. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure coding standards. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform various malicious activities including data extraction, modification, or deletion, depending on the privileges of the database account being used. The impact is particularly severe because OWL is typically used for content management and database interaction, making the compromised system a potential gateway for broader network infiltration.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0265 extends beyond simple data compromise, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the database server itself. This vulnerability can be exploited through a simple web request manipulation, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. The attack can result in complete database exposure, allowing unauthorized users to access sensitive information, modify content, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1071.004 sub-technique for Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, specifically targeting web application vulnerabilities that enable database access. The long-term implications include potential data breaches, compliance violations, and system integrity compromise that can affect the entire OWL deployment and associated applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0265 should focus on immediate patching of affected OWL versions to the latest secure releases, as well as implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries in all database interactions. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious SQL injection attempts, while also implementing database access controls to limit the privileges of database accounts used by the application. The solution must incorporate proper input sanitization techniques, including the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries, which are standard practices recommended by OWASP and other security organizations. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, ensuring that the application follows secure coding practices that prevent injection attacks. The remediation process should also include monitoring for exploitation attempts and implementing proper logging mechanisms to detect and respond to potential attacks against the vulnerable system.