CVE-2005-3160 in PHP-Fusion
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in photogallery.php in PHP-Fusion allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) album and (2) photo parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3160 represents a critical security flaw in the PHP-Fusion content management system's photogallery.php script. This issue falls under the category of SQL injection vulnerabilities that have been classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The vulnerability affects the photogallery.php component and exposes two distinct attack vectors through the album and photo parameters, making it particularly dangerous as it provides multiple entry points for malicious actors to exploit.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the PHP-Fusion photogallery.php script. When user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization, attackers can manipulate the query structure by injecting malicious SQL code through the vulnerable parameters. The album and photo parameters serve as the primary conduits for this attack, allowing remote threat actors to craft specially crafted requests that bypass normal input filtering mechanisms. This flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3160 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with extensive control over the affected system. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, potentially compromising sensitive user information, configuration data, and application logic. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly attractive to cybercriminals. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the threat actor's ability to leverage publicly accessible web applications for malicious purposes. The impact is further amplified by the fact that PHP-Fusion was widely deployed, increasing the potential attack surface and making this vulnerability particularly dangerous.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3160 should focus on immediate patching of the affected PHP-Fusion installations, as the original vulnerability was addressed through proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including proper escaping of special characters and validation of user inputs before processing. The implementation of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging. Additionally, network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten, particularly focusing on input validation and output encoding to prevent injection attacks.