CVE-2005-1487 in FishCart
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in FishCart 3.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) cartid parameter to upstnt.php or (2) psku parameter to display.php. NOTE: the vendor disputes this report, saying that they are forced SQL errors. The original researcher is known to be unreliable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1487 represents a critical security flaw in FishCart 3.1 ecommerce software that falls under the category of SQL injection attacks. This type of vulnerability occurs when an application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into SQL database queries, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations. The specific nature of this vulnerability has been disputed by the vendor, who claims the issues are merely forced SQL errors rather than exploitable injection points, though this characterization remains contentious within the security community.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors within the FishCart application. The first vector involves the cartid parameter in the upstnt.php script, while the second involves the psku parameter in the display.php script. Both paths allow attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the application's database interaction points. When these parameters are not properly sanitized or validated, an attacker can craft input that alters the intended SQL query structure, potentially enabling them to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even execute administrative commands on the underlying database system. This represents a classic example of CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive customer information, transaction records, and potentially administrative privileges within the database. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit these flaws. This vulnerability would particularly affect online retailers using FishCart 3.1, as it directly impacts the core functionality of their shopping cart system. The potential for data exfiltration, customer privacy violations, and financial fraud makes this a significant concern for organizations handling sensitive commerce data, aligning with the broader ATT&CK framework's approach to database access and credential theft techniques.
Given the disputed nature of this vulnerability report and the vendor's claim that these are merely forced SQL errors rather than exploitable injection points, security professionals should approach this with caution and conduct thorough testing to determine actual exploitability. The original researcher's reliability has been questioned, which adds complexity to the assessment. However, the fundamental principle remains that any input parameter that directly influences database queries without proper sanitization represents a potential security risk. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation, parameterized queries, and regular security assessments to prevent such vulnerabilities from being exploited, regardless of the disputed status of this particular CVE report. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining updated security practices and not solely relying on vendor claims regarding vulnerability severity or exploitability.