CVE-2005-3816 in freeForum
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in forum.php in freeForum 1.1 and earlier and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) cat parameter or (2) thread parameter in thread mode.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3816 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting freeForum version 1.1 and earlier implementations. This vulnerability resides within the forum.php script and demonstrates a classic improper input validation issue that has been classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query constructions, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database operations through carefully crafted payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct attack vectors that target different parameters within the forum.php script. The first vector exploits the cat parameter while the second targets the thread parameter during thread mode operations. Both attack paths allow remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the application's database layer without requiring authentication or privileged access. This occurs because the application constructs SQL queries by directly concatenating user input values without appropriate sanitization or parameterization mechanisms, making the system susceptible to unauthorized data manipulation, extraction, or even complete database compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database system. This capability provides threat actors with extensive privileges to read, modify, or delete database records, potentially compromising user accounts, forum content, and system integrity. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. The vulnerability affects the entire database ecosystem of the affected forum implementation, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breaches.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with input validation and parameterized query implementations. The recommended approach involves applying proper input sanitization techniques that filter or escape special characters commonly used in SQL injection attacks, while also implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent direct SQL command construction from user input. Additionally, access controls should be reviewed to ensure that database accounts used by the application have minimal required privileges, following the principle of least privilege as outlined in cybersecurity best practices. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly in web applications handling user-supplied data, and serves as a reminder of the persistent threat landscape that requires continuous security monitoring and patch management processes.