CVE-2005-3161 in PHP-Fusion
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in PHP-Fusion before 6.00.110 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the activate parameter in register.php and (2) the cat_id parameter in faq.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3161 represents a critical security flaw in PHP-Fusion versions prior to 6.00.110 that exposes the application to multiple SQL injection attack vectors. This vulnerability affects the core database interaction mechanisms of the content management system, creating pathways for malicious actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The flaw manifests in two distinct attack surfaces within the application's user registration and FAQ functionality, demonstrating the widespread nature of the SQL injection vulnerability within the software's architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the PHP-Fusion codebase. When users interact with the register.php script through the activate parameter or navigate the FAQ section using the cat_id parameter, the application fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL queries. This omission allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context, effectively bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly impacts the database engine's query processing capabilities, making it particularly dangerous for systems that rely on PHP-Fusion for content management and user interaction.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using affected PHP-Fusion installations. Attackers can exploit these injection points to extract database contents including user credentials, personal information, and application configuration details. The remote execution capability means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit these vulnerabilities. Successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise, user account takeover, and potential lateral movement within affected networks. The impact extends beyond immediate data theft to include potential service disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage for organizations running vulnerable systems.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications, and represents a classic example of improper input handling in web applications. According to ATT&CK framework category T1190, this vulnerability enables adversaries to perform data manipulation and extraction through application layer attacks. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to address these vulnerabilities, as the exploitation window remains open for unpatched installations. Security teams must also implement additional monitoring for suspicious database query patterns and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block potential injection attempts. The remediation process requires thorough testing of the updated PHP-Fusion version to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing custom modules or configurations while maintaining the integrity of the application's core functionality and user data protection mechanisms.