CVE-2005-3744 in phpComasy
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in phpComasy 0.7.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter. NOTE: an examination of the 0.7.5 source code suggests that there is no id parameter being handled directly by index.php.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3744 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the phpComasy content management system version 0.7.5 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php file which serves as the primary entry point for the application's web interface. The flaw arises from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to adequately filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. Security researchers have noted that while the vulnerability description mentions an 'id' parameter, analysis of the 0.7.5 source code reveals that index.php does not directly handle this parameter, suggesting either a misidentification of the attack vector or that the vulnerability may be present in related files within the application's codebase. The SQL injection vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate database operations by injecting malicious SQL code through the affected parameter, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data, data modification, or even complete database compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input that bypasses the application's input validation controls and gets directly embedded into SQL queries executed by the backend database system. This type of injection attack falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input sanitization and parameterized query usage, where user input is directly concatenated into SQL statements without appropriate escaping or validation. When the application processes the malicious input through the vulnerable parameter, the database executes the attacker's injected SQL commands with the privileges of the application's database user, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate their privileges within the application environment. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and system configurations stored in the database. The vulnerability also poses significant risks to application availability and integrity, as attackers could potentially modify or delete critical application data, disrupt services, or establish persistent access points within the target environment. From a security perspective, this vulnerability represents a serious weakness in the application's defense-in-depth strategy, as it allows remote code execution capabilities that could be leveraged for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The fact that the vulnerability affects version 0.7.5 and earlier indicates that this was a long-standing issue that had not been properly addressed in the application's development lifecycle.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3744 should prioritize immediate patching and upgrading of affected phpComasy installations to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation mechanisms including parameterized queries, prepared statements, and comprehensive input sanitization routines to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other parts of their applications. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attacks. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing to identify other potential injection points within the application and related systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving command and control communications, credential access, and privilege escalation, making it a critical target for defensive measures. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs should be implemented to ensure that such vulnerabilities are identified and addressed before they can be exploited by malicious actors.