CVE-2005-3916 in WSN Forum
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in memberlist.php in WSN Forum 1.21 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in a profile action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3916 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the WSN Forum 1.21 software platform, specifically affecting the memberlist.php script. This vulnerability resides in the profile action functionality where user input is inadequately sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The flaw manifests when the id parameter is manipulated by remote attackers, enabling them to inject malicious SQL code that bypasses normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and query construction practices that fail to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied data before database execution.
This SQL injection vulnerability operates at the application layer and falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. The vulnerability allows attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The profile action in memberlist.php serves as the attack surface where the malicious id parameter is processed without adequate sanitization measures, creating a direct pathway for SQL command injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass full system compromise and potential denial of service conditions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive user information, including passwords stored in the database, modify user privileges, or even escalate their access to administrative functions. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire forum system, potentially exposing all user accounts and associated data. Additionally, the injection could be used to execute destructive commands such as DROP TABLE or ALTER TABLE operations that could permanently damage the database structure. The widespread use of forum software makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to attackers seeking to compromise multiple systems simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3916 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to a newer version of WSN Forum that addresses this vulnerability. The implementation of proper input sanitization techniques including the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be applied to database accounts used by the forum application, limiting their capabilities to only essential operations. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. Regular security auditing and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation practices and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer attacks, emphasizing the need for robust application security controls.