CVE-2005-2566 in OpenBB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Open Bulletin Board (OpenBB) allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) FID parameter to board.php or (2) UID parameter to member.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2566 represents a critical security flaw in Open Bulletin Board version 1.0, a web-based discussion forum application that was widely deployed in early 2000s web environments. This vulnerability falls under the category of SQL injection attacks, which occur when web applications fail to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. The specific flaw manifests in two distinct attack vectors within the application's core functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it provides multiple pathways for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of user-supplied parameters within SQL query construction. When users interact with the bulletin board system through the board.php script, the FID parameter is directly incorporated into database queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. Similarly, the member.php script suffers from identical flaws in how the UID parameter is processed. These parameters are typically used to fetch specific forum topics or user information respectively, but due to inadequate input validation, malicious actors can inject arbitrary SQL code that gets executed by the underlying database engine. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly included in SQL commands without proper escaping or parameterization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it grants remote attackers complete control over the affected database system. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to retrieve sensitive information including user credentials, private messages, and forum content, potentially leading to full system compromise. Attackers might also be able to modify or delete database records, effectively corrupting the bulletin board's data integrity. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to the ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1190, which involves exploitation of remote services. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate data theft to include potential persistence mechanisms and further network reconnaissance activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. The most effective remediation involves replacing direct string concatenation of user input with proper parameterized SQL queries, ensuring that user-supplied data is treated as literal values rather than executable code. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization routines and employing web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive code reviews to identify similar patterns throughout the application, as this vulnerability likely indicates broader architectural issues with input handling. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks such as OWASP's Secure Coding Practices, particularly focusing on the prevention of injection flaws. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect similar weaknesses in other applications, as this vulnerability demonstrates a common pattern of insecure coding practices that persist across various software platforms.