CVE-2005-3478 in Tutorial Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in PHPCafe.net Tutorials Manager 1.0 Beta 2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3478 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHPCafe.net Tutorials Manager version 1.0 Beta 2 web application. This security weakness resides in the index.php script where user input is improperly handled, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through the id parameter. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities that occur when untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the id parameter in the index.php file, allowing them to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the backend database. This flaw enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even gain complete control over the database server. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools and malicious actors seeking to compromise web applications.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using the affected PHPCafe.net Tutorials Manager software. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include complete system compromise, data corruption, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform data exfiltration, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access points. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1190 for exploitation of remote services, demonstrating how attackers can systematically exploit poorly secured web applications.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper output encoding to prevent SQL injection attacks. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input sanitization techniques and using prepared statements or parameterized queries to separate SQL commands from data. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security assessments, and ensuring all software components are updated to patched versions will significantly reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and demonstrates how basic input validation can prevent catastrophic security breaches in web applications.