CVE-2005-2587 in Topic Boards
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in emailvalidate.php in PHPTB Topic Boards 2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the mid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2587 represents a critical sql injection flaw in the PHPTB Topic Boards 2.0 bulletin board system. This vulnerability specifically affects the emailvalidate.php script which processes email validation requests within the application. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly the mid parameter that is used to identify message IDs during the email validation process. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application fails to properly escape or filter the data before incorporating it into sql queries, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged for unauthorized database access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to employ proper parameterized queries or input sanitization techniques when processing the mid parameter. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql code that gets executed within the context of the database connection. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications. The attack vector is remote and does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the affected web application. The mid parameter serves as the primary entry point for attackers to manipulate the underlying sql queries, potentially allowing them to extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even escalate privileges within the database environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to gain complete control over the affected database system. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to user accounts, forum posts, private messages, and other sensitive data stored within the PHPTB Topic Boards database. The vulnerability also poses risks to the overall system integrity and availability, as attackers could potentially delete or corrupt database content, leading to service disruption. Organizations running this vulnerable version of PHPTB Topic Boards face significant security risks, including potential data breaches and compliance violations, particularly in environments where personal information or sensitive communications are stored. The long-term consequences could include reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and increased security costs for remediation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2587 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected PHPTB Topic Boards 2.0 installation to the latest available version that addresses this sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly escaped before being incorporated into sql queries. The implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar sql injection vulnerabilities in other applications. System administrators should also monitor database logs for suspicious activity and implement proper access controls to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper sql query construction in preventing unauthorized database access and maintaining overall system security posture.