CVE-2005-0429 in vBulletin
Summary
by MITRE
Direct code injection vulnerability in forumdisplay.php in vBulletin 3.0 through 3.0.4, when showforumusers is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute inject arbitrary PHP commands via the comma parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0429 represents a critical direct code injection flaw within the vBulletin forum software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions 3.0 through 3.0.4. This security weakness resides in the forumdisplay.php script and becomes exploitable when the showforumusers feature is enabled, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP commands on the affected server. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing it within the application's execution context. Attackers can leverage this weakness by manipulating the comma parameter to inject malicious PHP code that gets executed with the privileges of the web application, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which categorizes it as an "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" flaw. This classification reflects how the application fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters before incorporating them into executable code paths. The attack vector specifically targets the comma parameter within the forumdisplay.php script, where user input is directly concatenated into PHP execution contexts without adequate sanitization. This allows attackers to inject malicious PHP code that gets executed on the server, bypassing normal access controls and potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform extensive system compromise activities. Once exploited, the injected PHP code can manipulate the database, create backdoors, escalate privileges, or even establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local access or credentials to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous for online forum deployments. Organizations running affected vBulletin versions face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations due to the exposure of sensitive user information and system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0429 should prioritize immediate patching of affected vBulletin installations to version 3.0.5 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization. System administrators should also implement network-level protections such as firewall rules that restrict access to vulnerable endpoints and monitor for suspicious parameter patterns in web application logs. Additionally, the implementation of web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional defense layers against similar injection attacks. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web applications to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities, following the principles outlined in the ATT&CK framework's code injection techniques. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed without introducing new issues, while also implementing regular security updates and monitoring procedures to prevent future exploitation attempts.