CVE-2005-0999 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Top module for PHP-Nuke 6.x through 7.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the querylang parameter.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0999 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Top module of PHP-Nuke versions 6.x through 7.6. This security weakness resides in the querylang parameter handling mechanism, which fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that have been well-documented in cybersecurity literature for over two decades. The affected PHP-Nuke versions represent a significant portion of the web application framework ecosystem during the mid-2000s, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a historical security perspective.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input for the querylang parameter that gets directly concatenated into SQL command strings without proper sanitization or parameterization. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into database queries without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries through the Top module, potentially allowing for unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The attack vector is remote and does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any location with network access to the vulnerable web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the database server hosting the PHP-Nuke application. This level of access can result in complete database compromise, including the ability to extract sensitive information, modify user credentials, inject malicious content, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. The vulnerability's presence in the Top module suggests that it could affect various types of data displayed on the website, potentially compromising user statistics, content management data, or other database records that the module is designed to access. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which involves application layer protocol manipulation, and T1190, which covers exploit public-facing applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0999 should focus on immediate remediation through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input, particularly parameters like querylang, undergo thorough sanitization before being processed by the application. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries represents the most effective long-term solution to prevent such vulnerabilities from occurring. Additionally, the affected PHP-Nuke installations should be updated to versions that have addressed this specific vulnerability, as the original affected versions are no longer supported and lack security updates. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense, though these should not be considered replacements for proper code-level fixes. Security audits should also include comprehensive testing of all input parameters within web applications to identify similar injection vulnerabilities that may exist in other modules or components of the PHP-Nuke framework or related systems.