CVE-2005-3911 in BosDates
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in calendar.php in BosDates 4.0 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) year and (2) category parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3911 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting BosDates version 4.0 and earlier, specifically within the calendar.php script. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution attacks through improper input validation mechanisms. The flaw manifests when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary parameter vectors: the year and category parameters within the calendar.php file. When these parameters receive unvalidated input from remote users, they become susceptible to SQL injection attacks that can bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, or even modify database contents. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or parameterize user inputs before incorporating them into database queries, which directly aligns with CWE-89, the Common Weakness Enumeration identifier for SQL injection vulnerabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing BosDates software, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands without authentication. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access confidential information, modify calendar entries, potentially escalate privileges, or even gain deeper system access through database exploitation. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as the vulnerability can enable persistent access to the underlying database infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous for calendar-based applications that may contain sensitive organizational or personal information.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically follows standard SQL injection attack patterns where attackers craft malicious input strings designed to alter the intended SQL query execution flow. These attacks can be executed through various means including web browser manipulation, automated scanning tools, or manual exploitation techniques. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-89 places it within the broader context of database security weaknesses that require robust input validation and parameterized query implementation as primary defense mechanisms.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to versions of BosDates that address these SQL injection flaws. Mitigation strategies should include input validation at multiple layers, implementation of parameterized queries, and regular security auditing of web applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and following industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Additionally, network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and prevent exploitation attempts against vulnerable applications.