CVE-2005-0343 in PerlDesk
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in PerlDesk 1.x allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands via the view parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0343 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within PerlDesk 1.x software, a web-based help desk application that was widely used in enterprise environments during the mid-2000s. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user input through the view parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The flaw occurs when user-supplied data from the view parameter is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper input filtering or parameterization. This creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can manipulate the SQL query structure by injecting specially crafted SQL code sequences through the vulnerable parameter. The vulnerability is classified as remote because attackers do not require local system access to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the application is accessible from external networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform complete database manipulation including data extraction, modification, deletion, and potentially unauthorized administrative actions. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, bypass authentication mechanisms, or even gain access to underlying operating system resources if the database server is configured with elevated privileges. The affected PerlDesk 1.x applications were commonly deployed in corporate environments where sensitive customer data, employee information, and business-critical records were stored, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1190, representing exploitation of remote services through application vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in the future, following secure coding practices that align with OWASP Top Ten recommendations for preventing SQL injection attacks. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to the help desk application, while database access controls should be reviewed to ensure least privilege principles are enforced. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in legacy applications that may not receive ongoing vendor support. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against exploitation of known vulnerabilities in widely deployed software applications.