CVE-2005-3842 in pdjk-support suite
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in pdjk-support suite 1.1a and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) rowstart, (2) news_id, and (3) faq_id parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3842 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the pdjk-support suite version 1.1a and earlier releases. This vulnerability exists in the index.php script which serves as a central component of the support system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The affected parameters rowstart, news_id, and faq_id all share the same vulnerability pattern, indicating a systemic issue in how the application processes these specific input vectors. This sql injection vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database without authentication, fundamentally compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the supported data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common sql injection attack patterns classified under cwe-89 in the common weakness enumeration catalog. The flaw occurs when user input flows directly into sql query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization, creating an environment where attackers can inject malicious sql code. The three vulnerable parameters represent different data types within the application's functionality - rowstart typically handles pagination data, news_id manages news article identifiers, and faq_id controls frequently asked question references. Each parameter accepts user input that gets directly embedded into sql queries, making the entire application susceptible to sql injection attacks. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and does not require any special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged from any remote location.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3842 extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing complete database compromise and potential system infiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and system configurations stored in the database. The ability to execute arbitrary sql commands means that malicious actors could modify or delete database records, potentially leading to data corruption or complete system unavailability. In addition to direct data access, this vulnerability could serve as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure, particularly if the database server has elevated privileges or if the application shares database credentials with other systems. The vulnerability affects the entire pdjk-support suite, meaning that any organization utilizing this software is at risk of unauthorized database access and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3842 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should upgrade to versions of the pdjk-support suite that address this vulnerability, as the original 1.1a and earlier versions contain no built-in protections against sql injection. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input sanitization techniques that filter or escape special characters before database queries are executed. Additionally, developers should adopt prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input cannot alter the intended structure of sql commands. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense, though these should not replace proper code-level fixes. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability maps to several techniques in the mitre att&ck framework under the initial access and execution phases, particularly focusing on credential access and privilege escalation tactics that can be employed once the sql injection is successfully exploited.