CVE-2005-0663 in MercuryBoard
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php for MercuryBoard 1.1.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands via the f parameter.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0663 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the MercuryBoard 1.1.2 web application, specifically affecting the index.php script. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution risks when attackers manipulate the 'f' parameter, which is processed without proper input sanitization or validation. The flaw stems from inadequate parameter handling mechanisms that fail to distinguish between legitimate user input and malicious SQL commands, creating an exploitable entry point for unauthorized database access. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious SQL payloads through the f parameter in the index.php file, bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. When the application processes this parameter, it directly incorporates the user-supplied input into database queries without appropriate filtering or escaping techniques. This creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the underlying database structure, potentially extracting sensitive information, modifying data, or even gaining administrative privileges within the database system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with access to the affected web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable comprehensive system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information. Attackers exploiting this flaw can potentially retrieve user credentials, personal data, and other confidential information stored within the MercuryBoard database. The vulnerability also permits data modification and deletion operations, which could result in data corruption or complete system disruption. Additionally, successful exploitation may allow attackers to escalate privileges and establish persistent access to the affected system, potentially leading to broader network compromise. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 for network service discovery.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0663 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query execution mechanisms. Organizations should implement prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input cannot be interpreted as SQL commands. The application should employ proper input sanitization techniques, including whitelisting of acceptable characters and length restrictions for the f parameter. Additionally, the system should implement proper error handling that prevents information disclosure through database error messages. Security patches should be applied immediately to update MercuryBoard to a version that addresses this vulnerability, as the original 1.1.2 release contains no built-in protections against such attacks. Network segmentation and firewall rules can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in preventing database-related security incidents, aligning with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.