CVE-2005-3676 in PhpWebThings
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in download.php in PhpWebThings 1.4.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3676 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the PhpWebThings 1.4.4 web application framework. This vulnerability specifically targets the download.php script which processes user input through the file parameter, creating an avenue for remote attackers to manipulate database queries and execute arbitrary sql commands. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's data handling processes, allowing malicious actors to inject sql payload strings directly into the database interaction layer. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can enable attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even gain complete control over the underlying database system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the file parameter in the download.php script. The application fails to properly escape or validate the user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql query constructions, creating a classic sql injection vector. This flaw aligns with common weakness enumerations such as cwe-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly included in sql commands without proper sanitization. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it operates at the database interaction level, meaning that successful exploitation could result in complete data compromise, including user credentials, personal information, and application configuration details.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing PhpWebThings 1.4.4 systems. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized database operations, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to carry out successful attacks. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to automated attack tools and increases the potential attack surface significantly. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues, financial losses, and reputational damage if sensitive data is compromised through such an attack vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3676 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized query execution mechanisms. The most effective approach involves upgrading to a patched version of PhpWebThings that addresses the sql injection vulnerability, as the original 1.4.4 release contains fundamental security flaws that cannot be adequately remediated through simple code modifications. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms to prevent malicious sql payloads from reaching the application layer. Additionally, following secure coding practices such as using prepared statements, implementing proper error handling, and conducting regular security assessments can significantly reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities. The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability would typically be categorized under the attack technique of code injection within the mitre att&ck framework, specifically targeting the database layer of applications and potentially leading to privilege escalation and lateral movement within compromised environments.