CVE-2005-2002 in Mambo
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in content.php in Mambo 4.5.2.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the user_rating parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2002 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Mambo content management system version 4.5.2.2 and earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically targets the content.php script which processes user ratings, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the user_rating parameter, which is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, a well-documented weakness in software applications where user-supplied data is improperly integrated into SQL commands. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it allows remote exploitation without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the vulnerable system. The user_rating parameter serves as the primary entry point where malicious input can be crafted to manipulate the SQL query structure, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Attackers could leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and administrative access details. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers might gain administrative control over the CMS, allowing them to modify content, install malicious software, or completely disable the web application. Additionally, the exposure of underlying database structures through error messages or data retrieval could provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance information for further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2002 should focus on immediate patching of the Mambo CMS to versions that address this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring all user-supplied data undergoes rigorous filtering before database interaction. The implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent direct SQL command construction from user input. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and database access controls can provide additional defense layers. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) as attackers may use DNS tunneling to exfiltrate data. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure proper database security configurations including least privilege access controls and regular security updates to prevent future exploitation attempts.