CVE-2005-1734 in PROMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in PROMS before 0.11 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1734 represents a critical security flaw in the PROMS software suite prior to version 0.11. This issue falls under the category of SQL injection vulnerabilities that enable remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the affected system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's database interaction components, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters. These vulnerabilities are particularly concerning as they allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the affected environment. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple entry points within the application's codebase were susceptible to this type of manipulation, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous to assess and remediate.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic SQL injection flaw where user-supplied input is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper sanitization or parameterization. This pattern violates fundamental security principles and creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed by the database server. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes organizations using PROMS to significant risks including data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain read access to database contents, modify or delete critical information, and potentially establish persistent access to the underlying database infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly attractive to cybercriminals seeking to compromise systems at scale.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate data compromise to encompass broader operational security implications. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, reputational damage, and potential legal consequences as a result of successful exploitation. The vulnerability's presence in PROMS versions prior to 0.11 indicates a failure in proper security testing and code review processes during the software development lifecycle. From a threat actor perspective, this vulnerability would likely be categorized under the attack technique T1071.004 which involves application layer protocol manipulation, and potentially T1566 which covers credential access through social engineering or exploitation of software vulnerabilities. The lack of specific vector identification in the original description suggests that multiple attack surfaces within the application were vulnerable, increasing the overall risk profile and making comprehensive remediation more complex. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching and implementation of input validation measures to prevent exploitation, while also conducting thorough security assessments to identify any additional vulnerabilities that may exist in their software infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of the patched version 0.11 or later, implementation of proper parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection, and comprehensive input validation at all application entry points. Security measures should also encompass database access controls, monitoring for suspicious query patterns, and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, ensuring that the fix addresses not only the immediate vulnerability but also strengthens overall application security posture. Organizations should also implement network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and regular vulnerability scanning to prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications within their infrastructure.