CVE-2005-2152 in Geeklog
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Geeklog before 1.3.11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via user comments for an article.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2152 represents a critical sql injection flaw in the Geeklog content management system prior to version 1.3.11. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of user comments within the article submission system, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database server. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-provided data, particularly when comments are processed and inserted into the database through sql queries. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious comment content that contains sql payload code, which then gets executed when the system processes the comment submission.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql code through the comment field, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, modifying database records, or even executing system commands if the database user has elevated privileges. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk since the attacker does not need local system access to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete database compromise and potential system takeover. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could retrieve all user credentials, article content, and other sensitive information stored in the Geeklog database. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire content management system, as the sql injection allows for arbitrary database manipulation. Additionally, the attack can be performed entirely through web-based interfaces, making it accessible to attackers with basic knowledge of sql injection techniques and requiring no specialized tools beyond standard web browsers and sql injection payloads.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The primary solution involves upgrading to Geeklog version 1.3.11 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms for user comments. Organizations should implement parameterized queries or prepared statements for all database interactions to prevent sql injection attacks, as recommended by the owasp sql injection prevention cheat sheet. Additional protective measures include input validation at multiple layers, including web application firewalls, database access controls, and regular security audits. The implementation of proper error handling that does not reveal database structure information to users helps prevent information disclosure that could aid attackers in crafting more sophisticated payloads. Security monitoring should also be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, aligning with the mitre ATT&CK framework's tactics for credential access and execution.