CVE-2005-2896 in Web News
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in WEB//NEWS 1.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) wn_userpw parameter to startup.php, (2) cat, (3) id, or (4) stof parameter to news.php, or (5) id parameter to print.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the web//news content management system version 1.4 that exposes multiple entry points for remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters across several php scripts within the application. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the wn_userpw parameter in startup.php, or by injecting malicious sql payloads through the cat, id, or stof parameters in news.php, as well as the id parameter in print.php. The vulnerability directly maps to cwe-89 sql injection which is classified as a persistent threat in the cwe dictionary and aligns with attack technique t1071.008 application layer protocol tunneling within the attack framework. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft as it allows complete database compromise, enabling attackers to execute destructive operations such as data deletion, modification, or unauthorized access to sensitive information. The flaw exists because the application fails to properly escape or validate user input before incorporating it into sql queries, creating an environment where malicious sql code can be interpreted and executed by the database engine.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal sophistication and can be accomplished through standard sql injection techniques such as union-based attacks or time-based blind sql injection methods. When an attacker supplies malicious input through any of the vulnerable parameters, the application directly incorporates this data into sql statements without proper sanitization, allowing the database to interpret the injected sql commands as legitimate instructions. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly, as the vulnerability affects core functionality of the news management system including user authentication, content display, and printing operations. The multi-point attack surface increases the probability of successful exploitation since attackers can choose from multiple entry points based on the current system state and available information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data loss. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database, extract sensitive information including user credentials, modify or delete content, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire web//news installation, making it a high-priority target for malicious actors. Organizations using this vulnerable software face significant risk of data breaches, system downtime, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent backdoors or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks against network infrastructure. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring authentication for many of the attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate remediation through software updates and input validation improvements. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of web//news or implement proper parameter validation and sanitization techniques to prevent sql injection attacks. The recommended approach includes implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is properly escaped and treated as literal data rather than executable code. Additionally, input validation should be enforced at multiple layers including application level and database level to provide defense in depth. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection by monitoring and filtering suspicious sql injection patterns. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as owasp top ten and the cwe guidelines for preventing sql injection attacks. System administrators should implement monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to address successful attacks.