CVE-2005-2028 in Message Board
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php for MercuryBoard 1.1.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the User-Agent HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2028 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the mercuryboard 1.1.4 software and earlier versions. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php script which processes incoming http requests and fails to properly sanitize user input from the user-agent http header. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that allow malicious actors to inject sql commands directly through http request headers rather than through traditional form inputs or url parameters. This particular vector of attack is significant because it leverages a standard http header that is automatically included in all web requests, making it an accessible and persistent attack surface for remote threat actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common sql injection attack patterns and can be classified under the cwe-89 category of improper neutralization of special elements used in an sql command. The flaw occurs when the application constructs sql queries by concatenating user-supplied data from the user-agent header directly into the sql statement without proper escaping or parameterization. This allows attackers to manipulate the sql query execution flow by injecting malicious sql syntax that gets executed on the database server. The attack vector specifically targets the user-agent header, which contains information about the client software making the request, but this header is not properly validated or sanitized before being used in database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for systems running affected mercuryboard versions. Remote attackers can execute arbitrary sql commands on the database server, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to sensitive user information. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, modify database content, delete records, and potentially gain shell access to the underlying server. Given that the user-agent header is automatically included in every http request, this vulnerability provides attackers with a persistent and reliable attack vector that can be exploited repeatedly without requiring user interaction or specific conditions. The impact extends beyond immediate data compromise to include potential system-wide infiltration and long-term persistence within the target environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. Organizations must upgrade to mercuryboard versions that address this specific sql injection flaw, as no backported fixes exist for the affected versions. The primary technical defense involves implementing proper input sanitization and parameterized queries for all database interactions, ensuring that user-supplied data from http headers undergoes rigorous validation before being processed. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms can provide additional protection layers. The remediation should include disabling unnecessary http headers in the application configuration, implementing proper error handling to prevent information leakage, and establishing comprehensive monitoring for suspicious sql query patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing principle of least privilege for database accounts, ensuring that web applications only have the minimum required database permissions to function properly. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs, including http headers, and implementing robust sql injection prevention mechanisms as outlined in owasp top ten and nist cybersecurity framework guidelines.