CVE-2005-3364 in DboardGear
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in DboardGear allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the buddy parameter in buddy.php, (2) the u2uid parameter in u2u.php, and (3) an invalid theme file in the themes action to ctrtools.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3364 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting the DboardGear application, a web-based bulletin board system that was widely used in enterprise and organizational environments during the mid-2000s. This vulnerability exists across multiple entry points within the application's codebase, making it particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with several potential pathways to exploit the system. The affected components include buddy.php, u2u.php, and ctrtools.php, each representing different attack vectors that could be leveraged to compromise the underlying database infrastructure. These vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands without requiring authentication, effectively granting them full access to the database contents and potentially enabling further exploitation of the compromised system.
The technical implementation of these SQL injection vulnerabilities stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the DboardGear application. The flaw occurs when user-supplied parameters are directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper escaping or parameterization. Specifically, the buddy parameter in buddy.php, the u2uid parameter in u2u.php, and the themes action parameter in ctrtools.php all accept user input that flows directly into database queries without appropriate filtering mechanisms. This design pattern violates fundamental security principles and creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the intended query execution flow. According to CWE-89, this vulnerability maps directly to SQL injection, which is classified as a common weakness in web applications due to its prevalence and severity. The lack of proper input validation allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that can alter the database query's logic, potentially enabling data extraction, modification, or deletion operations.
The operational impact of these vulnerabilities extends far beyond simple data theft, as they provide attackers with comprehensive database access that can be leveraged for various malicious activities. Remote attackers can use these injection points to extract sensitive user information, including usernames, passwords, and personal data stored within the DboardGear database. The ability to execute arbitrary SQL commands means that attackers could potentially escalate privileges, modify database structures, or even gain access to other systems within the network that share the same database infrastructure. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1190, which involves exploitation of vulnerabilities in publicly accessible applications. The widespread use of DboardGear in enterprise environments meant that successful exploitation could result in significant data breaches affecting thousands of users and potentially compromising sensitive organizational information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query techniques across all affected application components. Organizations should implement strict input sanitization measures that filter or escape special characters that could be used in SQL injection attacks, particularly focusing on characters such as single quotes, semicolons, and comment markers. The recommended approach involves transitioning from dynamic SQL query construction to prepared statements or parameterized queries, which ensure that user input is treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and input validation at the application level, along with regular security audits and code reviews, can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future development cycles. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should also be deployed to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns and block malicious traffic attempting to exploit these vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough testing of all database interactions to ensure that the implemented fixes do not introduce new functionality issues while effectively neutralizing the SQL injection attack vectors.