CVE-2005-0661 in Burning Board
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the getwbbuserdata function in session.php for Woltlab Burning Board 2.0.3 through 2.3.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) userid or (2) lastvisit cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0661 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Woltlab Burning Board forum software ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically targets the getwbbuserdata function located in the session.php file, affecting versions ranging from 2.0.3 through 2.3.0. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructions. The attack vector exploits two primary cookie parameters namely userid and lastvisit which are processed by the vulnerable function during session handling operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the userid or lastvisit cookie values to inject malicious SQL code into the database query execution flow. When the getwbbuserdata function processes these cookies, it directly incorporates their values into SQL statements without proper parameterization or input sanitization. This creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious cookie values that, when processed by the vulnerable application, result in unauthorized database access and command execution. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to complete database compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the affected database system. Successful exploitation could allow adversaries to retrieve sensitive user information including passwords, personal data, and administrative credentials stored within the forum database. Attackers might also gain the ability to modify or delete database records, potentially compromising the entire forum infrastructure and user base. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it without requiring local system access or physical presence, making it particularly dangerous for online communities and web applications that rely on forum software for user interaction and content management.
Organizations and system administrators should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by upgrading to patched versions of Woltlab Burning Board software or implementing appropriate input validation measures. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent user input from being interpreted as SQL code. Additionally, input validation should be enforced at multiple layers including cookie processing, session management, and database interaction points. Security controls should include monitoring for suspicious cookie values and implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block SQL injection attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploitation of remote services through injection attacks. The incident also highlights the necessity of regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in legacy software systems.