CVE-2005-1454 in FreeRADIUS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the radius_xlat function in the SQL module for FreeRADIUS 1.0.2 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) group_membership_query, (2) simul_count_query, or (3) simul_verify_query configuration entries.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1454 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the FreeRADIUS authentication system version 1.0.2 and earlier. This issue specifically targets the radius_xlat function located in the SQL module, which serves as a crucial component for processing radius configuration parameters. The flaw enables authenticated remote attackers to manipulate database queries through three distinct configuration entries: group_membership_query, simul_count_query, and simul_verify_query. These parameters are essential for managing user group memberships, simultaneous session counts, and verification processes within the RADIUS framework. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the SQL module, allowing maliciously crafted input to be directly incorporated into database queries without proper escaping or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users submit specially crafted input through the affected configuration parameters. The radius_xlat function processes these inputs without sufficient sanitization, leading to the injection of malicious SQL code into the underlying database queries. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the database server, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive user information, modifying authentication data, or even escalating privileges within the database system. The attack vector requires authentication to the FreeRADIUS server, which means that an attacker must first establish valid credentials before exploiting this vulnerability. However, the impact remains severe as authenticated access often provides sufficient privileges to compromise the entire authentication infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1454 extends beyond simple data theft, as it fundamentally undermines the security of the entire RADIUS authentication system. Organizations relying on FreeRADIUS for network access control, wireless authentication, or VPN access may experience complete compromise of their authentication mechanisms. Attackers could potentially enumerate user accounts, extract sensitive authentication credentials, modify user permissions, or even create backdoor accounts within the system. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of RADIUS authentication servers, which are widely deployed in enterprise networks, wireless access points, and VPN gateways. This makes the impact particularly severe as the compromise of a single RADIUS server could affect thousands of network access points and user devices simultaneously.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of FreeRADIUS installations to versions 1.0.3 and later, which contain the necessary fixes for the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict input validation and sanitization measures within their RADIUS configurations, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being processed by the SQL module. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation in authentication systems can lead to complete system compromise. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 for exploit public-facing application and T1078 for valid accounts, as the attack requires legitimate authentication credentials to exploit the vulnerability effectively.