CVE-2005-0774 in PhotoPost PHP Pro
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in member.php and possibly other scripts in PhotoPost PHP 5.0 RC3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the uid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0774 represents a critical sql injection flaw affecting PhotoPost PHP version 5.0 RC3 and potentially other related scripts within the same application. This vulnerability resides in the member.php script and specifically targets the uid parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the application's database layer. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql query constructions. This allows attackers to manipulate the intended database operations and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or execute destructive commands against the underlying database system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malicious uid parameter value that contains sql payload code. The application processes this input without proper sanitization, directly embedding it into sql queries that are subsequently executed by the database engine. This creates a pathway for attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data extraction, modification, deletion, or even privilege escalation within the database environment. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a core member management script, which typically handles user authentication and authorization data that is critical to the application's security posture.
From an operational standpoint, this sql injection vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations utilizing PhotoPost PHP 5.0 RC3. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract confidential user information, including usernames, passwords, and personal details stored in the database. The vulnerability also enables potential privilege escalation attacks where malicious actors might gain administrative access to the application or even the underlying database system. The remote nature of this attack vector means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which defines improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the PhotoPost PHP application to the latest stable version that addresses this sql injection flaw. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures that filter or escape all user-supplied data before processing. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent sql injection attacks. Additionally, database access controls should be reviewed and restricted to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for preventing sql injection attacks.