CVE-2005-3956 in DMANews
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.php in DMANews 0.904 and 0.910 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) id parameter in a comments action and the (2) sortorder and (3) display_num parameters in a news_list action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3956 represents a critical security flaw in DMANews version 0.904 and 0.910, specifically targeting the index.php script that handles multiple user-facing actions. This SQL injection vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the web application's parameter processing mechanisms. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructions, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted input parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through three distinct parameter injection points within the DMANews application. The first vulnerability exists in the comments action where the id parameter can be manipulated to inject malicious SQL code, allowing attackers to execute unauthorized database queries. The second and third vulnerabilities appear in the news_list action where both sortorder and display_num parameters serve as injection vectors. These parameters are processed without proper input validation, enabling attackers to construct malicious SQL statements that bypass authentication mechanisms and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive database information. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, representing a fundamental breakdown in input sanitization practices that violates core security principles.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents severe implications for system security and data integrity. Remote attackers can leverage these injection points to execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the DMANews system. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers may be able to modify or delete database records, escalate privileges, or even gain shell access to the underlying system. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, specifically targeting SQL injection as a method for gaining unauthorized access to database systems. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, specifically targeting the three identified parameter injection points. All user-supplied input must be rigorously sanitized and validated before being incorporated into any database operations. Organizations should implement proper input filtering mechanisms that prevent SQL metacharacters from being processed as part of the query structure. Additionally, the application should adopt prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is treated as data rather than executable code. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Furthermore, access controls and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, ensuring that database accounts used by the application have minimal required permissions.