CVE-2005-1573 in ASP Virtual News Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in admin_login.asp for ASP Virtual News Manager allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the password parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1573 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the ASP Virtual News Manager application's administrative login component. This issue specifically affects the admin_login.asp file where user authentication occurs, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability manifests through improper input validation of the password parameter, which allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the database query execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The flaw enables remote code execution capabilities that can result in complete system compromise, data theft, and unauthorized modifications to the news management system's underlying database structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or escape user input before incorporating it into SQL database queries. When administrators attempt to log in through the vulnerable interface, the password parameter is directly concatenated into SQL command strings without appropriate filtering or parameterization measures. This creates an environment where an attacker can manipulate the SQL query execution by injecting specially crafted SQL syntax through the password field. The attack vector operates entirely over network connections, requiring no local system access or prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web-based applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from the database, modify administrative credentials, or even execute destructive operations against the underlying database infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1573 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass comprehensive system compromise and data integrity violations. Successful exploitation allows attackers to bypass the application's authentication layer entirely, potentially gaining administrative privileges that would otherwise require legitimate credentials. This vulnerability can lead to complete control over the news management system, enabling attackers to modify content, delete database entries, or inject malicious code into the application environment. The implications are particularly severe for news management systems that handle sensitive information or serve as critical components of larger organizational communication infrastructures. Organizations may experience data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations depending on the nature of information stored within the compromised system. The vulnerability also exposes the underlying database to additional attacks, as successful exploitation often provides attackers with database schema information and access patterns that can be leveraged for further penetration attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in the future. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before being incorporated into SQL commands. Organizations should implement input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters commonly used in SQL injection attacks, including single quotes, semicolons, and comment delimiters. The application should utilize prepared statements or stored procedures that separate SQL command structure from data values, thereby eliminating the possibility of query injection through user input fields. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms, including account lockout policies and secure password storage practices, can significantly reduce the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual login patterns or database access attempts that might indicate exploitation activity, while regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire application portfolio. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive application security measures and regular vulnerability assessment programs to maintain system integrity and protect against persistent threats.