CVE-2005-0856 in CoolForum
Summary
by MITRE
CoolForum 0.8.1 beta and earlier allows remote attackers to manipulate SQL commands via certain requests to (1) alert.php or (2) viewip.php, possibly due to a SQL injection vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0856 affects CoolForum version 0.8.1 beta and earlier implementations, presenting a critical SQL injection flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries through specific web requests. This vulnerability manifests in two primary attack vectors through the alert.php and viewip.php script files, which fail to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into SQL command constructions. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and improper parameter handling within the application's database interaction mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL code that executes with the privileges of the database user.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits specially crafted requests to the vulnerable endpoints, bypassing normal input filtering mechanisms. These requests contain malicious SQL payloads that manipulate the intended database operations, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive information, modify database contents, or even execute administrative commands on the underlying database system. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses in software that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets fundamental database interaction points within the forum application, affecting core functionality related to user alerts and IP address tracking.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise and potential system infiltration. Attackers could leverage the SQL injection to escalate privileges, access confidential user data including passwords and personal information, or manipulate forum content to serve as a platform for further attacks. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire forum system, potentially compromising user trust and the organization's security posture. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries target web applications to gain unauthorized access to backend systems, and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, which may be utilized for command and control communications if the database is compromised.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0856 require immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and parameterized query usage throughout the CoolForum application. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided patches or upgrade to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability, as the affected versions represent outdated software with known security flaws. Additionally, implementing proper web application firewalls, input validation mechanisms, and database access controls can provide layered defense against similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar injection flaws in other application components, ensuring compliance with security best practices and reducing the attack surface for future exploitation attempts.