CVE-2005-0474 in WebCalendar
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the user_valid_crypt function in user.php in WebCalendar 0.9.45 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via an encoded webcalendar_session cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0474 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the WebCalendar 0.9.45 application that fundamentally compromises the integrity and security of the system. This vulnerability specifically targets the user_valid_crypt function located in the user.php file, which serves as a critical authentication mechanism for the calendar application. The flaw occurs when the application processes the webcalendar_session cookie, which is typically used to maintain user sessions and track authentication status. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of cookie data, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands directly into the database query execution pipeline.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of improper input handling where the webcalendar_session cookie value is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. When an attacker crafts a malicious cookie value containing SQL injection payloads, the user_valid_crypt function processes this unvalidated input and incorporates it into database queries, potentially allowing full database access and manipulation. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the application and its session management system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring prior authentication or specialized network access. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary database commands, extract sensitive user information, modify calendar entries, and potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, create backdoor accounts, or even compromise the entire database infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly attractive to malicious actors. The vulnerability affects the core authentication and session management functionality of WebCalendar, potentially allowing complete system compromise and unauthorized data manipulation. Organizations relying on this vulnerable version face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to calendar data, and potential downstream impacts on user privacy and system integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through patching the WebCalendar application to version 0.9.46 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the SQL injection vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures for all cookie data, particularly session identifiers, to prevent similar issues in other applications. The implementation of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to eliminate SQL injection vectors. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems. Organizations should also consider implementing proper session management practices including secure cookie attributes and regular session token rotation to minimize the impact of such vulnerabilities when they do occur. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing robust input validation practices in web applications to prevent exploitation of similar security flaws.