CVE-2005-2778 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in member.php in MyBulletinBoard (MyBB) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL statements via the fid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2778 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within MyBulletinBoard version 1.0.2 and earlier, specifically affecting the member.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of the fid parameter, which is used to filter forum data in the bulletin board system. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input, potentially allowing full database access and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability impacts the core functionality of the bulletin board by undermining the integrity of user data retrieval operations, making it a significant concern for forum administrators and users who rely on the platform for communication and information sharing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the member.php script where the fid parameter is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. When an attacker submits a malicious value for the fid parameter, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into database queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL fragments that can alter the intended query behavior, potentially extracting sensitive information, modifying database records, or even executing administrative commands. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which classifies SQL injection as a weakness that occurs when an application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before using it in SQL commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to compromise entire database systems and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible bulletin board systems. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to user credentials, private messages, forum posts, and other sensitive data stored within the MyBB database. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to modify or delete forum content, effectively compromising the integrity and availability of the platform's services. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploitation of remote services through injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2778 require immediate action from system administrators to upgrade to patched versions of MyBulletinBoard, as the vulnerability was resolved in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in their applications. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user inputs, implementing proper database access controls, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls and implementing database activity monitoring can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for database accounts used by the application, limiting the potential damage from successful attacks. Regular patch management procedures and security awareness training for developers can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into future versions of the software.