CVE-2005-3843 in iDesk
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in faq.php in Nicecoder iDesk 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cat_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3843 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the faq.php component of Nicecoder iDesk version 1.0. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input through the cat_id parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or filter user input before incorporating it into sql queries, creating an exploitable condition that enables malicious actors to manipulate database operations. The affected parameter cat_id serves as the primary attack vector, allowing remote attackers to inject malicious sql code that gets executed by the underlying database engine.
This sql injection vulnerability operates under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it allows remote code execution capabilities, enabling adversaries to perform unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, deletion, or even database schema enumeration. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it highly dangerous in networked environments where the application is exposed to external traffic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can lead to complete system compromise through database manipulation and potential privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information from the database, modify existing records, or insert new malicious entries. The iDesk application's reliance on sql queries for content management makes it particularly susceptible to this type of attack, as the cat_id parameter likely controls category-based content retrieval. This vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the mitre attack framework under the data manipulation and privilege escalation tactics, where adversaries seek to compromise database integrity and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3843 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. The most effective approach involves using prepared statements with parameterized queries, which separate sql code from user data, making injection attacks impossible. Additionally, input sanitization should be implemented at multiple layers including application-level validation, output encoding, and database-level access controls. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and privilege management to limit database access to only necessary functions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments, particularly for legacy applications that may contain outdated security measures. Regular patch management and application updates are essential to address known vulnerabilities and maintain system integrity against evolving threat landscapes.