CVE-2005-2697 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in search.php for MyBulletinBoard (MyBB) 1.00 Release Candidate 1 through 4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the uid parameter. NOTE: this issue might overlap CVE-2005-0282.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2697 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the MyBulletinBoard (MyBB) forum software version 1.00 Release Candidate 1 through 4. This security weakness specifically affects the search.php script and enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries through the uid parameter, potentially allowing full database access and arbitrary command execution. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic input validation failure where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL statements without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user input within the search functionality of MyBB's web application. When the uid parameter is processed in search.php, the application fails to adequately escape or validate the input before incorporating it into database queries. This allows malicious actors to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed by the database engine, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges within the affected system. Remote attackers could leverage this weakness to extract sensitive user information including usernames, passwords, and private messages stored in the database. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to modify or delete forum content, potentially disrupting service availability and compromising the integrity of the entire bulletin board system. The overlap with CVE-2005-0282 suggests this represents a broader class of vulnerabilities affecting MyBB's input handling mechanisms.
Security professionals should consider implementing multiple mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary defense mechanism involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent user input from being interpreted as executable SQL code. Database access controls should be restricted to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Organizations should also maintain current security patches and consider implementing database activity monitoring to identify anomalous query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the technique of "SQL Injection" (T1071.008) and "Command and Scripting Interpreter" (T1059), highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input validation practices are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future software releases and maintain robust defense in depth strategies.