CVE-2005-1509 in PwsPHP
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in profil.php in PwsPHP 1.2.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1509 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PwsPHP 1.2.2 web application framework. This issue specifically affects the profil.php script which processes user profile requests and fails to properly sanitize input parameters before incorporating them into SQL database queries. The vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of the id parameter, which is directly used in SQL command construction without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. This flaw exists at the intersection of insecure input handling and database query construction, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations through crafted input values.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit specially crafted id parameter values that contain malicious SQL code. When the profil.php script processes these inputs, the unsanitized data gets directly embedded into SQL queries, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary database commands. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it enables full database compromise, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive information, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the database system. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure coding standards.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information. Attackers can leverage this flaw to bypass authentication mechanisms, retrieve confidential user data, modify or delete records, and potentially gain deeper access to the underlying system infrastructure. The vulnerability affects any user of PwsPHP 1.2.2 who interacts with the profil.php script, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user profiles contain sensitive personal or organizational data. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it represents a direct attack against a publicly accessible web application component. The impact is amplified by the fact that SQL injection vulnerabilities of this nature often allow for privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should implement prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input cannot be interpreted as SQL code. Input sanitization techniques must be applied to all user-supplied parameters, including the id parameter in this case, to prevent malicious SQL fragments from being executed. The recommended approach aligns with OWASP Top Ten security practices and follows the principle of least privilege in database access. Additionally, application developers should implement proper error handling that does not expose database structure information to end users, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.