CVE-2005-0858 in CoolForum
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in CoolForum 0.8 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the pseudo parameter to entete.php or (2) the login parameter to register.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0858 represents a critical security flaw in CoolForum version 0.8 and earlier, exposing the application to remote code execution through SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability affects two distinct input vectors within the forum software, demonstrating the widespread nature of the insecure input handling across different modules of the application. The flaw stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious SQL commands that can be executed by the underlying database system. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they enable attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even gain complete control over the database server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two specific attack vectors that exploit improper input handling in the application's core functionality. The first vector targets the pseudo parameter within the entete.php file, while the second targets the login parameter in register.php. Both attack paths demonstrate the same fundamental flaw in input validation where user-provided data is directly concatenated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The attack methodology leverages the fact that the application does not properly escape or validate user input before incorporating it into database queries, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the intended SQL execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with extensive capabilities to compromise the entire forum infrastructure. Remote attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to complete database compromise, unauthorized access to user accounts, and modification of forum content. The implications are particularly severe because forum applications typically store sensitive user information including usernames, passwords, personal details, and potentially confidential communications. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the SQL injection category as a critical risk to web application security. The attack surface is broad since both authentication and display functions are affected, making it difficult for administrators to predict or mitigate all potential attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0858 must focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of CoolForum or apply the appropriate security patches that address the input validation flaws in both entete.php and register.php. The recommended approach involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements that separate SQL code from user input, thereby preventing malicious SQL commands from being executed. Additionally, input validation should be enforced at multiple layers including application-level sanitization, database-level access controls, and network-level firewalls. Security measures should include implementing proper authentication mechanisms, regularly monitoring database logs for suspicious activities, and conducting thorough security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. These remediation steps align with the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for SQL injection attacks, emphasizing the importance of input validation and secure coding practices to prevent such critical vulnerabilities from being exploited in real-world scenarios.