CVE-2005-2637 in PHPFreeNews
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in PHPFreeNews 1.40 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) Match or (2) CatID parameter to SearchResults.php, or (3) the password to AccessControl.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2637 represents a critical security flaw in PHPFreeNews version 1.40 and earlier, exposing multiple pathways for remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands. This vulnerability falls under the category of SQL injection attacks, which occur when user input is improperly validated or sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The affected application fails to properly escape or filter input parameters, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through three distinct attack vectors within the PHPFreeNews application. The first vector involves the Match parameter in SearchResults.php, where user-provided search terms are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization. The second vector targets the CatID parameter within the same file, allowing attackers to manipulate category-based searches through SQL injection techniques. The third vector exploits the password parameter in AccessControl.php, where authentication mechanisms are compromised through direct SQL command injection. These attack surfaces demonstrate a fundamental lack of input validation and proper parameter handling throughout the application's codebase.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary database commands including data retrieval, modification, deletion, or even database schema manipulation. Attackers could potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive user information, or compromise the entire database infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or physical presence, making it particularly dangerous for web applications accessible over the internet. Organizations running affected versions of PHPFreeNews face significant risk of unauthorized data access and potential system compromise, with implications for data integrity, confidentiality, and availability.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term prevention measures. The primary solution involves updating to a patched version of PHPFreeNews that implements proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should also implement input sanitization techniques, including proper escaping of special characters and validation of all user-provided data before database interaction. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries serves as a fundamental defense mechanism against SQL injection attacks, as outlined in CWE-89 standards for SQL injection prevention. Additionally, network-based defenses such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques for command and control operations that exploit such database access vulnerabilities.