CVE-2005-2113 in XOOPS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the loginUser function in the XMLRPC server in XOOPS 2.0.11 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands and bypass authentication via crafted values in an XML file, as demonstrated using the blogger.getPost method.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2021
The CVE-2005-2113 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the XOOPS content management system version 2.0.11 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the loginUser function within the XMLRPC server component, which serves as a communication interface for external applications to interact with the XOOPS system. The flaw exists in the XMLRPC server's handling of user authentication requests, where input validation is insufficient to prevent malicious SQL code injection. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to bypass the authentication mechanism entirely while simultaneously executing arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input sanitization within the XMLRPC server's XML parsing logic. When the blogger.getPost method is invoked with crafted XML payloads containing malicious SQL code, the system fails to properly escape or validate the input parameters before incorporating them into database queries. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly embedded into SQL command strings. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically within the XMLRPC protocol implementation, making it accessible through standard network communication channels without requiring local system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2113 is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete administrative control over affected XOOPS installations. Successful exploitation enables remote code execution capabilities, database enumeration, data theft, and modification of critical system components. Attackers can bypass authentication mechanisms entirely, gaining access to user accounts, administrative panels, and sensitive data stored within the CMS database. The vulnerability's reach extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential data corruption, service disruption, and lateral movement within network environments where XOOPS systems are deployed. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in remote services to gain unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected XOOPS installations to version 2.0.12 or later, where the SQL injection flaw has been addressed through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. System administrators should implement network-level protections including firewall rules that restrict access to XMLRPC endpoints, particularly from untrusted networks. Input validation mechanisms must be strengthened to sanitize all XMLRPC parameters before database processing, implementing proper escaping and filtering techniques. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual XMLRPC activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices, particularly in web applications handling user input, and highlights the necessity of regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to provide additional layers of protection against similar injection vulnerabilities.