CVE-2005-2399 in PHP Surveyor
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Surveyor 0.98 allows remote attackers to trigger SQL errors via missing parameters to (1) browse.php, (2) export.php, (3) conditions.php, or (4) spss.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2399 affects PHP Surveyor version 0.98, a web-based survey management application that enables users to create and manage online surveys. This flaw represents a classic case of improper input validation and error handling in web applications, where the software fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them in database queries. The vulnerability specifically manifests when certain parameters are omitted or malformed when making requests to four key application scripts: browse.php, export.php, conditions.php, and spss.php. These scripts are fundamental components of the survey management system, with browse.php likely handling survey display functionality, export.php managing data export operations, conditions.php dealing with conditional logic in surveys, and spss.php providing SPSS data format export capabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a lack of proper parameter validation and error handling mechanisms within the PHP Surveyor application. When remote attackers submit requests to these four scripts without providing required parameters, the application fails to implement adequate input sanitization or validation checks. This absence of proper parameter validation creates a scenario where database queries are constructed using incomplete or malformed input data, leading to SQL errors that can be triggered remotely. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation, which is classified as CWE-20 by the Common Weakness Enumeration system. This weakness is particularly dangerous because it can potentially allow attackers to gain information about the underlying database structure, query syntax, or application internals through error messages that are inadvertently exposed to remote users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple SQL error generation, as it can potentially provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance information about the application's database architecture. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability may be able to extract database schema information, user account details, or other sensitive data through carefully crafted SQL error messages that reveal internal system information. The vulnerability affects the application's ability to maintain proper security boundaries, as it allows unauthorized users to probe the system's database layer without proper authentication or authorization. This exposure can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges or gain deeper access to the system. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the "Credential Access" and "Initial Access" domains, as it provides a method for information gathering and potential system compromise.
The security implications of this vulnerability are significant for organizations using PHP Surveyor 0.98, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the application's input handling and error management capabilities. Organizations that have deployed this version of PHP Surveyor are exposed to potential data breaches, unauthorized data access, and system compromise through this vulnerability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple core functionality scripts within the application, meaning that attackers can potentially exploit it across different aspects of the survey management system. The lack of proper error handling means that users may inadvertently receive database-specific error messages that reveal sensitive information about the system's configuration, database structure, or query execution patterns. Organizations should consider implementing immediate mitigations such as input validation patches, proper error handling mechanisms, and network-level restrictions to prevent unauthorized access to these vulnerable endpoints. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security testing procedures to identify and address similar flaws in web applications.