CVE-2005-1805 in Online Solutions for Educators
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in login.asp in an unknown product by Online Solutions for Educators (OS4E) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1805 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the login.asp component of a product developed by Online Solutions for Educators, commonly known as OS4E. This security weakness resides within the authentication mechanism of an educational software solution, specifically targeting the password parameter handling during user login processes. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries through malicious input, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data compromise. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and parameter sanitization within the web application's backend processing logic.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits specially crafted SQL commands through the password field of the login interface. The application fails to properly escape or validate the input data before incorporating it into database queries, creating an opportunity for malicious SQL code execution. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without adequate sanitization. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it targets the authentication system itself, potentially allowing adversaries to bypass login mechanisms entirely or extract sensitive information from the database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and system compromise. Attackers could potentially extract user credentials, personal information, or institutional data from the database, leading to significant privacy violations and potential regulatory compliance issues. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the educational institution's data infrastructure, particularly when considering that OS4E products are typically deployed in environments containing sensitive student and staff information. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations with distributed or cloud-based deployments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should implement proper web application firewall rules to detect and block suspicious SQL patterns in login parameters, while also ensuring that all user inputs are properly sanitized before database processing. The remediation process must include comprehensive code review and testing to identify similar vulnerabilities throughout the application codebase, as SQL injection flaws often exist in multiple locations within web applications. Additionally, implementing proper error handling that does not expose database structure information to users can help prevent attackers from gathering intelligence about the underlying database schema. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications and emphasizing the need for defense in depth strategies. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication and regular security training for developers to prevent similar issues in future software deployments.