CVE-2005-3853 in snews
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in snews.php in sNews 1.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) id and (2) category parameters to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3853 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the sNews content management system version 1.3 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the snews.php file and specifically affects the index.php script which processes user input through two distinct parameters. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the database query execution flow, potentially compromising the entire underlying database system. The vulnerability impacts the core functionality of the CMS by enabling unauthorized data manipulation and access to sensitive information stored within the database structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the sNews application. When users submit data through the id and category parameters in the index.php script, the application fails to properly escape or filter these inputs before incorporating them into SQL queries. This lack of proper input sanitization creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can craft SQL commands that get executed by the database engine. The vulnerability specifically targets the database interaction layer, allowing attackers to manipulate the SQL execution context through crafted parameter values that bypass normal input validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential system infiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, database schema details, and application data. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit the vulnerability. This makes the attack surface significantly larger and increases the likelihood of successful exploitation. Additionally, the vulnerability can be used to modify or delete database records, potentially causing data integrity issues and application disruption.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The attack pattern follows standard techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 category for exploitation of remote services. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and application-level filtering of user inputs. The recommended approach involves upgrading to a patched version of sNews or implementing proper input sanitization measures to prevent the injection of malicious SQL code into the database execution context. Database administrators should also review and restrict database user permissions to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.