CVE-2005-0368 in CMScore
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in CMScore allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) EntryID or (2) searchterm parameter to index.php, or (3) username parameter to authenticate.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0368 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the CMScore content management system that exposes multiple attack vectors for remote threat actors. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically targeting three distinct endpoints that process sensitive data without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The affected parameters include EntryID and searchterm in the index.php file, as well as the username parameter in the authenticate.php file, creating multiple pathways for exploitation that significantly increases the attack surface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the CMScore application's failure to properly escape or filter user input before incorporating it into SQL database queries. When attackers submit malicious input through any of the three vulnerable parameters, the application directly concatenates these values into SQL command strings without appropriate input validation or parameterization. This fundamental flaw allows attackers to manipulate the intended database query execution flow, enabling them to inject arbitrary SQL commands that can be executed with the privileges of the database user account used by the CMScore application. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or manipulation, as it provides attackers with potentially full database access capabilities. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and application configuration details stored within the database. Additionally, attackers could modify or delete database records, potentially leading to complete application compromise or data destruction. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system or network to exploit these vulnerabilities, making them particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. This vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges and potentially move laterally within network environments where the compromised CMScore instance resides.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and parameterized queries to address this vulnerability. The most effective defense involves implementing proper input sanitization techniques that filter or escape special characters commonly used in SQL injection attacks such as single quotes, semicolons, and comment markers. Additionally, the application should be updated to use parameterized queries or prepared statements that separate SQL command structure from data values, preventing the injection of malicious SQL code. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, specifically targeting the execution of malicious SQL commands through improperly validated input parameters.