CVE-2005-1048 in PostNuke
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in modules.php in PostNuke 0.760 RC3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL statements via the sid parameter. NOTE: the vendor reports that they could not reproduce the issues for 760 RC3, or for .750.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1048 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the modules.php script of PostNuke version 0.760 RC3. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data. The specific vector of attack occurs through the sid parameter, which when improperly processed allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the underlying database query execution flow. This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental flaw in application security where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql command structures without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or modification. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to execute unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data extraction, insertion, update, or deletion of critical system information. The potential for complete database compromise exists when attackers exploit this vulnerability, as they can gain access to user credentials, system configurations, and sensitive content management data that PostNuke stores in its database. The attack surface becomes particularly dangerous given that the vulnerability affects a core module file that handles various system operations, making it an attractive target for exploitation. This type of vulnerability aligns with the attack pattern described in the mitre attack framework under the technique of command and control through database manipulation and data exfiltration.
Security practitioners must understand that this vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and parameterized query implementation in the affected PostNuke application. The inability to reproduce the issue in later versions as noted by the vendor suggests that the specific code path was either patched or the application architecture was modified to prevent such injection attacks. The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate patching of the affected PostNuke installations, implementing proper input sanitization routines, and deploying web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious sql patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing database access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized sql command execution attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar injection flaws that could compromise entire application ecosystems.