CVE-2005-1548 in Advanced Guestbook
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in Advanced Guestbook 2.3.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the entry parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1548 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Advanced Guestbook 2.3.1 web application. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php script and exploits the entry parameter to allow remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly concatenated into SQL command strings without proper escaping or parameterization. The attack vector operates through the web interface where users can submit guestbook entries, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the application's public interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. When the entry parameter is submitted through the index.php script, the application fails to sanitize the input, allowing malicious SQL payloads to be interpreted and executed by the database engine. This can result in unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete database compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from the database, modify existing records, insert new malicious entries, or potentially escalate privileges within the database system. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure web application development. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries target applications accessible from the internet to gain unauthorized access to backend systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1548 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations running Advanced Guestbook 2.3.1 are at significant risk of data breaches, as attackers can potentially access guestbook entries containing sensitive user information, personal details, or other confidential data stored within the database. The vulnerability can also serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks, allowing threat actors to establish persistence within the network infrastructure. Additionally, the compromise of the guestbook application can lead to reputation damage, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences depending on the nature of the data exposed. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or network credentials to perform the attack, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with limited security monitoring capabilities. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, web application firewalls, and regular security assessments to detect and prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities. The lack of proper parameterized queries and input validation in the application code directly violates security best practices established by organizations such as the Open Web Application Security Project OWASP, which consistently recommends the use of prepared statements and proper input sanitization to prevent SQL injection attacks.