CVE-2005-3793 in Affiliate Network Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in AlstraSoft Affiliate Network Pro 7.2 allow remote attackers to bypass authentication and execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) username or (2) password to admin/admin_validate_login, or the (3) login, (4) password, and (5) flag parameters to login_validate.php.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2018
The vulnerability CVE-2005-3793 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in AlstraSoft Affiliate Network Pro version 7.2 that exposes the application to remote code execution and unauthorized access. This vulnerability resides in the authentication handling mechanisms of the software, specifically within the admin validation and login processing components. The flaw stems from improper input sanitization and validation of user-supplied parameters that are directly incorporated into SQL query construction without adequate escaping or parameterization. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input strings that manipulate the underlying database queries to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain administrative access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves three distinct attack vectors within the application's authentication flow. The first vector targets the username parameter in the admin/admin_validate_login endpoint, while the second exploits the password parameter in the same location. The third vector operates through the login, password, and flag parameters within the login_validate.php script. These parameters are processed without proper input validation or sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL constructs that can alter the intended query behavior. The vulnerability manifests as a classic SQL injection attack pattern where user input directly influences database query execution paths, enabling attackers to manipulate authentication logic and bypass access controls.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe security risk for systems running the affected software version. Successful exploitation grants attackers full administrative privileges, enabling them to access sensitive affiliate data, modify user accounts, manipulate commission calculations, and potentially exfiltrate confidential information. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 SQL Injection, which is classified as a high-severity weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, demonstrating how attackers can leverage web application vulnerabilities to achieve unauthorized access.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query construction throughout the affected application components. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided security patches or upgrade to a patched version of AlstraSoft Affiliate Network Pro. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization techniques including prepared statements or parameterized queries can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses in other application components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper database interaction methods in preventing authentication bypass attacks and maintaining system integrity.