CVE-2005-1687 in Wordpress
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in wp-trackback.php in Wordpress 1.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the tb_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1687 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the wordpress content management system version 1.5 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the wp-trackback.php script which handles trackback functionality for wordpress blogs. The flaw occurs when the tb_id parameter is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into sql queries, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands directly into the database layer. This particular vulnerability falls under the category of cwe-89 sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration catalog, which classifies it as a serious security weakness that can lead to complete database compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending crafted requests to the wp-trackback.php endpoint with maliciously formatted tb_id parameters. When wordpress processes these requests without proper input validation or parameter sanitization, the sql injection occurs at the database level. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data extraction, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because trackback functionality is commonly enabled on wordpress sites, making the attack surface accessible to remote threat actors without requiring authentication. This weakness directly maps to attack techniques documented in the attack tree framework under the category of code injection attacks and can be classified as a persistent threat that can be exploited repeatedly.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can lead to complete system compromise of wordpress installations. Successful exploitation allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to the database, potentially enabling them to escalate privileges, install backdoors, or modify website content. The widespread adoption of wordpress 1.5 and earlier versions at the time of discovery meant that numerous websites were potentially vulnerable, creating a significant risk landscape for organizations relying on these systems. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor input validation practices within the application code, highlighting the importance of implementing proper parameterized queries and input sanitization techniques as recommended by the owasp top ten security risks and the software security development lifecycle standards.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of wordpress installations to versions that address the sql injection flaw in wp-trackback.php. System administrators should also implement proper input validation measures including parameterized queries, prepared statements, and proper sanitization of all user-supplied data before database processing. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious sql injection patterns, restricting database user privileges to minimum required access levels, and conducting regular security audits of application code. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous sql query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security practices throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent similar issues from occurring in future releases.