CVE-2005-2000 in paFileDB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in paFileDB 3.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the formname parameter (1) in the login form, (2) in the team login form, or (3) to auth.php, (4) select, (5) id, or (6) query parameter to pafiledb.php, or (7) string parameter to search.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2000 represents a critical security flaw in paFileDB version 3.1 and earlier, exposing multiple pathways for remote attackers to perform SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted input is directly incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. The affected application is a file database system that handles user authentication and file management operations through various php scripts including login forms, team login forms, authentication endpoints, and search functionalities.
The technical exploitation occurs through multiple entry points within the paFileDB application where user-supplied input is directly concatenated into SQL queries without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. The vulnerable parameters include formname in login forms and team login forms, which are processed through auth.php authentication handler, along with select, id, and query parameters in pafiledb.php, and a string parameter in search.php. These parameters are typically used for user authentication, database query execution, and search functionality respectively. Attackers can manipulate these inputs to inject malicious SQL code that bypasses authentication mechanisms and potentially executes arbitrary commands on the underlying database server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to the database backend, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Successful exploitation could result in data theft, data manipulation, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to sensitive user information including passwords and personal details stored within the file database. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the application's data, making it a critical concern for any organization using this software version. The attack surface is broad due to the multiple injection points, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation and reducing the effort required by attackers to find a working vector.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code. The recommended approach involves using prepared statements or parameterized queries to separate SQL code from data, ensuring that user input is properly escaped and validated before being incorporated into database operations. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, input sanitization, and output encoding can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of paFileDB or implement web application firewall rules to block malicious SQL injection patterns targeting these specific parameters. The remediation efforts should also include comprehensive code review to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, following security best practices outlined in industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.