CVE-2005-3309 in Zomplog
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Zomplog 3.4 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the id parameter in detail.php and the catid parameter in (2) get.php and (3) index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3309 represents a critical security flaw in Zomplog 3.4, a content management system that was widely used in web environments during that period. This vulnerability manifests as multiple SQL injection weaknesses that collectively enable remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. The affected parameters include the id parameter in detail.php, as well as the catid parameter in get.php and index.php, creating multiple entry points for malicious exploitation. These vulnerabilities fall under the category of CWE-89 SQL Injection, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in software applications that fail to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it highly attractive to malicious actors seeking to compromise web applications.
The technical exploitation of these vulnerabilities occurs when user-supplied input is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper sanitization or parameterization. When an attacker submits malicious input through the vulnerable parameters, the application fails to validate or escape special characters that could alter the intended SQL command structure. This allows attackers to inject additional SQL commands that are then executed by the database engine with the privileges of the application's database user. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers can manipulate database contents, create new user accounts, extract sensitive information, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. The presence of multiple vulnerable endpoints increases the attack surface and provides attackers with alternative paths to achieve their objectives, making the overall threat more severe than a single injection point.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations utilizing Zomplog 3.4, particularly those handling sensitive data or requiring database integrity. The remote execution capability means that attackers can compromise systems from anywhere on the internet without needing physical access or prior authentication credentials. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, which describes how adversaries exploit vulnerabilities in externally accessible applications to gain initial access to target networks. Organizations may experience unauthorized data access, data corruption, or complete system compromise depending on the database permissions granted to the application. The vulnerability also represents a failure in secure coding practices, specifically the lack of input validation and proper database query construction, which are fundamental requirements in modern application security frameworks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3309 should prioritize immediate patching of the Zomplog 3.4 application to the latest available version that addresses these SQL injection flaws. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that application accounts have minimal required privileges, following the principle of least privilege as recommended by security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability serves as a historical example of why secure coding practices and regular security updates are essential components of any comprehensive cybersecurity program, as the exploitation of such flaws can lead to significant data breaches and system compromises that affect both organizational operations and user privacy.