CVE-2005-2575 in XMB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in u2u.inc.php in XMB Forum 1.9.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via certain values that are inserted into the $in variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2575 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the XMB Forum 1.9.1 software ecosystem, specifically affecting the u2u.inc.php component. This vulnerability resides in the forum's handling of user input parameters, where certain values are directly incorporated into SQL query constructions without adequate sanitization or parameterization. The flaw manifests when attackers manipulate input values that get assigned to the $in variable, enabling malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database layer. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of CWE-89 SQL Injection as defined by the Common Weakness Enumeration, which classifies it as a severe weakness that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input parameters that are processed by the u2u.inc.php script. When user-supplied data is inserted directly into SQL statements without proper validation or escaping mechanisms, attackers can craft malicious input sequences that alter the intended execution flow of database queries. The $in variable serves as the primary injection point where unfiltered user input gets concatenated into SQL commands, creating a pathway for attackers to execute unauthorized database operations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can enable complete database compromise, allowing attackers to read, modify, or delete sensitive information stored within the forum's database infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2575 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass full system compromise and potential lateral movement within affected networks. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to extract user credentials, forum configuration details, and other sensitive data that may be stored in the database. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire XMB Forum installation, potentially exposing personal information of forum users and compromising the trust relationship between the platform and its users. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.005 Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols and T1566 Credential Access, as it enables unauthorized database access and credential extraction. The impact is particularly severe for organizations relying on this forum software, as it can lead to complete service disruption and data breaches that may violate regulatory compliance requirements.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized query approaches to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization techniques that filter or escape special characters that could be used for SQL injection attempts. The recommended approach involves transitioning from dynamic SQL query construction to prepared statements with parameterized queries, which ensures that user input is treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, access controls should be implemented to limit database permissions for the forum application, following the principle of least privilege. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive security audits of the XMB Forum installation, monitor database access logs for suspicious activities, and implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed, while network segmentation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.