CVE-2005-2580 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in MyBulletinBoard (MyBB) 1.00 RC4 with Security Patch allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the Username field in (1) index.php or (2) member.php, action parameter to (3) search.php or (4) member.php, or (5) polloptions parameter to polls.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2580 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within MyBulletinBoard version 1.00 RC4, a popular web-based discussion forum software that was widely deployed in 2005. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's core components, specifically targeting user-supplied data that flows directly into SQL query constructions without proper escaping or parameterization. The flaw affects multiple entry points within the forum's architecture, making it particularly dangerous as it provides multiple attack vectors for malicious actors to exploit. The vulnerability's presence in the security patch version indicates that this was a known issue that had been addressed but was either not properly implemented or was reintroduced in the final release, highlighting the importance of thorough security testing during software development cycles.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of specific HTTP parameters that are processed by the application's database interaction layers. Attackers can inject malicious SQL payloads through the Username field in index.php and member.php, or through the action parameter in search.php and member.php, as well as through the polloptions parameter in polls.php. These parameters are processed without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to construct malicious SQL statements that bypass authentication, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database server. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses that occur when user input is improperly filtered or escaped before being included in database queries, making it a classic example of insecure data handling practices in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information. Attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to escalate privileges, gain persistent access to the forum's administrative interfaces, and potentially use the compromised system as a launching point for attacks on other systems within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's reach across multiple PHP files within the application's core architecture means that a single successful attack can provide access to various forum functionalities, including user management, content moderation, and poll administration. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on MyBB forums for communication, as the compromise of one forum instance can lead to widespread data exposure and potential regulatory violations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and parameterized query usage across all affected application components, while also ensuring that proper access controls and database permissions are implemented to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the CERT Secure Coding Standards, particularly in the areas of input validation and database query construction. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust application security testing processes before deploying software in production environments, as the vulnerability was present in a version that included security patches, indicating potential implementation errors or incomplete security reviews.