CVE-2005-2486 in PortailPHP
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in mod_forum/read_message.php in PortailPHP allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter to index.php with the affiche parameter set to "Forum-read_mess", a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-1701.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2486 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PortailPHP forum component that exposes remote attackers to arbitrary code execution capabilities. This vulnerability specifically affects the mod_forum/read_message.php script where the id parameter from index.php is processed when the affiche parameter is set to "Forum-read_mess". The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and proper parameter sanitization that enables malicious actors to inject malicious SQL queries into the application's database layer. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is consistently ranked among the top ten web application security risks by OWASP.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query construction. When an attacker manipulates the id parameter through the index.php script with the specific affiche parameter value, the application directly concatenates this unvalidated input into database queries without proper escaping or parameterization. This allows an attacker to craft malicious SQL payloads that can manipulate the database behavior, potentially leading to data extraction, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive user data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations using PortailPHP as it enables unauthorized access to the underlying database infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract confidential information, modify forum content, or potentially escalate their access to other system components. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability could facilitate further attacks within the network if the database server has elevated privileges or if the application's database contains interconnected systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 for network service discovery, as attackers may use this vulnerability to map database structures and identify additional attack vectors.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated using common penetration testing tools, making it a preferred target for both skilled and unskilled attackers. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms, employ parameterized queries or stored procedures, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. The fix involves proper input sanitization and output encoding techniques that prevent malicious SQL code from being executed within the database context. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring systems can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing database-related security incidents that can compromise entire application ecosystems.