CVE-2005-2439 in UseBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in UseBB 0.5.1 and earlier, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the search function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2439 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the UseBB 0.5.1 bulletin board system and earlier versions. This vulnerability specifically targets the search functionality of the application and exploits a fundamental weakness in input validation and query construction processes. The flaw becomes particularly dangerous when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters that would normally protect against such attacks. This configuration setting, when turned off, leaves the application entirely dependent on proper manual input sanitization, creating an exploitable gap in the security architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the search function where user input is directly concatenated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. When an attacker crafts malicious input containing SQL metacharacters and commands, these are passed through to the database engine where they are executed with the privileges of the web application's database user. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. This particular variant demonstrates how the absence of proper input validation mechanisms can lead to complete database compromise, as the attacker can execute arbitrary commands including data extraction, modification, or deletion operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges within the database environment. An attacker could potentially extract sensitive user information, modify forum content, or even gain access to underlying system resources if the database user has elevated permissions. The vulnerability affects not just the forum's integrity but also compromises the confidentiality and availability of the entire system. Organizations running affected versions of UseBB face significant risk of unauthorized data access and potential system compromise, especially when the application operates with database accounts that have broad administrative privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including upgrading to a patched version of UseBB, which would implement proper input sanitization and parameterized queries. System administrators should ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or implement alternative input validation mechanisms. The recommended defense-in-depth approach includes implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security assessments, and establishing proper database access controls. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices such as using prepared statements and parameterized queries as outlined in OWASP secure coding guidelines. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security patch management and continuous monitoring of third-party applications for known vulnerabilities. Organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit logs for forensic analysis.