CVE-2005-3046 in PhpMyFaq
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in password.php in PhpMyFaq 1.5.1 allows remote attackers to modify SQL queries and gain administrator privileges via the user field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3046 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the PhpMyFaq 1.5.1 content management system that specifically targets the password.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user input through the user field parameter, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate underlying sql queries. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database operations. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly concatenated into sql commands without proper sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the user field parameter in the password.php script. The vulnerable application processes this input without proper validation, allowing sql injection payloads to be executed against the underlying database. Attackers can leverage this weakness to manipulate database queries in ways that were not intended by the application developers, potentially gaining unauthorized access to administrative functions. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution and privilege escalation, allowing attackers to elevate their access level from regular user to administrator. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the entire PhpMyFaq installation, as it provides a pathway for unauthorized users to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain full administrative control over the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3046 extends far beyond simple data manipulation, as it creates a complete compromise of the affected system's security posture. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can not only modify user accounts but also access sensitive database information, modify content, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms of PhpMyFaq, undermining the fundamental security controls that protect user accounts and system resources. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation, specifically targeting the credential access tactic and privilege escalation technique. The impact is particularly severe in environments where PhpMyFaq is used for managing sensitive information, as the compromise of a single administrative account can lead to complete system takeover.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the PhpMyFaq application to version 1.5.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring that all user inputs are properly escaped or parameterized before being used in database queries. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application to prevent sql injection attacks. Additionally, access controls should be reviewed and strengthened to limit the impact of potential exploitation, including implementing account lockout mechanisms and monitoring for suspicious login attempts. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to the PhpMyFaq application to authorized users only. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other applications and systems, while also ensuring that proper security patches are applied in a timely manner to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.