CVE-2005-3958 in Entergal MX
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in Entergal MX 2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) idcat parameter in a showcat action and (2) the action parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2025
The CVE-2005-3958 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the Entergal MX 2.0 content management system that exposes the application to remote code execution through poorly validated user input. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php script where the application fails to properly sanitize or validate parameters submitted through web requests, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the backend database. The vulnerability manifests through two distinct parameter vectors: the idcat parameter within the showcat action and the action parameter itself, both of which are processed without adequate input validation mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input that bypasses the application's input sanitization routines and gets directly executed within the sql query context. When the application processes the idcat parameter in a showcat action, it concatenates user-supplied values directly into sql statements without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms. Similarly, the action parameter allows attackers to manipulate the flow of sql execution by injecting malicious sql fragments that can alter the intended query structure. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper validation or sanitization. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing sql injection attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3958 extends far beyond simple data corruption or unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized database access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from the database including user credentials, personal data, and system configuration details. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or network to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in internet-facing applications. Database administrators may experience unauthorized modifications to content, potential data loss, or complete database compromise that could result in service disruption and regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability also aligns with attack techniques documented in the mitre att&ck framework under the privilege escalation and defense evasion tactics, as attackers can use sql injection to bypass authentication mechanisms and maintain persistent access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3958 should prioritize immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied parameters undergo rigorous sanitization before being incorporated into sql commands, with particular attention to the idcat and action parameters identified in this vulnerability. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be enforced across all database interactions to eliminate the possibility of sql command injection. Additionally, proper access controls and database user permissions should be configured to limit the damage potential of successful exploitation attempts. System administrators should implement web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious sql injection patterns, while also conducting regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping web applications updated with the latest security patches and following secure coding practices that prevent sql injection through proper input validation and output encoding.