CVE-2005-1011 in SiteEnable
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in content.asp in SiteEnable allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the sortby parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1011 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the content.asp script of SiteEnable web applications. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user input through the sortby parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation before being incorporated into sql queries. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the application's database interactions by injecting malicious sql code through crafted input values. The vulnerability specifically affects the content.asp file, which serves as a content management interface within the SiteEnable platform, making it a prime target for exploitation by threat actors seeking unauthorized database access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malicious value to the sortby parameter in the content.asp script. The application fails to properly escape or validate user input before incorporating it into sql command construction, creating a direct path for sql injection attacks. When the application processes this parameter, it concatenates the user-supplied input directly into sql queries without proper parameterization or input filtering mechanisms. This lack of input sanitization allows attackers to inject sql commands that can execute with the privileges of the database user account associated with the web application, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized data access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with extensive capabilities to manipulate the affected database systems. Successful exploitation could result in data disclosure, data modification, or complete database destruction, depending on the attacker's objectives and the privileges of the database user account. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application's data services, potentially compromising sensitive information stored within the SiteEnable platform. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper output encoding to prevent sql injection attacks. The implementation of web application firewalls and input sanitization mechanisms can help detect and block malicious sql injection attempts. Security patches should be applied to update the SiteEnable software to versions that address this vulnerability through proper parameter handling and input validation. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. According to the mitre cwe database, this vulnerability corresponds to cwe-89 sql injection, which is classified as a high-risk vulnerability category that frequently appears in web application security assessments and represents one of the most common and dangerous application layer attack vectors. The attack pattern aligns with the mitre att&ck framework's command and control techniques, specifically the execution of malicious code through database manipulation and data exfiltration methods that can be used to establish persistent access to target systems.