CVE-2005-1051 in PunBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in profile.php in PunBB 1.2.4 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in a change_email action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1051 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PunBB 1.2.4 bulletin board system that specifically targets the profile.php script. This security weakness arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms when processing user-supplied data through the id parameter during the change_email action. The vulnerability affects authenticated users who possess valid credentials within the forum environment, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages existing user privileges to escalate malicious activities. The flaw exists in the application's database interaction layer where user-provided identifiers are directly incorporated into SQL query constructions without proper escaping or parameterization techniques, creating an avenue for attackers to manipulate database operations through crafted input values.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user submits a malicious value through the id parameter within the change_email action context. The application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before incorporating it into database queries, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the affected database user. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The attack vector requires authentication, making it a privilege escalation vulnerability that can be leveraged by users who have already gained access to legitimate accounts, potentially enabling them to extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation as it can compromise the entire integrity and confidentiality of the bulletin board system. Attackers could potentially extract user credentials, personal information, forum configuration details, and other sensitive data stored within the database. The vulnerability also poses risks to system availability if attackers choose to execute destructive SQL commands or implement denial-of-service scenarios. Given that PunBB is a web-based forum application, the exposure of this vulnerability could lead to widespread compromise of user accounts and potentially provide attackers with a foothold for further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The affected system may also face reputational damage and regulatory compliance issues due to potential data breaches resulting from this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1051 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The most effective approach involves updating the PunBB application to a patched version that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the original 1.2.4 release contains no built-in protections against such attacks. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unusual database activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls and regular security assessments can help identify and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Additionally, developers should follow secure coding practices that emphasize the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries instead of direct string concatenation when interacting with database systems, aligning with the ATT&CK framework's recommendations for preventing command injection and data manipulation attacks. Regular security patch management and vulnerability scanning should be implemented as ongoing practices to maintain system integrity against evolving threats.