CVE-2005-1203 in eGroupware
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.php in eGroupware before 1.0.0.007 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) filter or (2) cats_app parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1203 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in the eGroupware web application platform prior to version 1.0.0.007. This vulnerability resides within the index.php script and affects the application's handling of user input through specific parameters that control filtering and category management functionality. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructions. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields that are then processed by database servers without proper sanitization. The attack vector operates through remote exploitation where malicious actors can manipulate the filter and cats_app parameters to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the backend database system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft as it allows full database manipulation capabilities for remote attackers. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute arbitrary SQL commands that may include data extraction, modification, or deletion operations against the underlying database. The vulnerability affects the application's core functionality by compromising the integrity of the data filtering and categorization systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive user information, including personal details, communication records, and other confidential data stored within the eGroupware system. The remote nature of this exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network credentials to leverage the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which describes application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 which covers exploitation of remote services through injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query construction practices. Organizations should upgrade to eGroupware version 1.0.0.007 or later where the vulnerability has been patched through proper input sanitization and parameter handling mechanisms. The fix typically involves implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from user input data, ensuring that user-supplied parameters are properly escaped and validated before database processing. Additionally, implementing proper input validation routines that reject or sanitize potentially malicious input patterns and establishing comprehensive database access controls with least privilege principles can significantly reduce the attack surface. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for suspicious SQL injection patterns in network traffic. Regular security auditing and code reviews focusing on input handling and database interaction patterns should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the software. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with industry best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 2021 category A03: Injection which specifically addresses SQL injection threats.