CVE-2005-4005 in PHP-Fusion
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in messages.php in PHP-Fusion 6.00.109 allows remote attackers to obtain path information and possibly execute arbitrary SQL commands via the srch_text parameter in a Search and Sort option to messages.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4005 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHP-Fusion content management system version 6.00.109. This security weakness specifically targets the messages.php script which handles search and sort functionality for user messages within the application. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the srch_text parameter, which is processed through the Search and Sort option interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the search text parameter to inject malicious SQL code that bypasses normal authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied data within the database query construction process. When users submit search queries through the messages.php interface, the srch_text parameter is directly incorporated into SQL statements without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that can manipulate the underlying database operations. The vulnerability manifests in two primary ways: first, by extracting sensitive path information from the server filesystem through error-based SQL injection techniques, and second, by enabling arbitrary SQL command execution that could lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4005 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass full system compromise potential. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data extraction, modification, or deletion. The path information disclosure aspect particularly exposes the application's internal directory structure, which can aid in planning further attacks against the system infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a classic example of how inadequate input validation creates opportunities for privilege escalation and data breach scenarios. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker with basic knowledge of SQL injection techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected PHP-Fusion version, as the original vulnerability was resolved through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters from user inputs before processing them in database queries. The use of prepared statements and parameterized queries represents the most effective long-term solution, as this approach separates SQL command structure from data values, eliminating the possibility of SQL injection. Additionally, implementing proper error handling that does not expose database-specific error messages to end users prevents attackers from gaining information about the database structure. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers SQL injection attacks, highlighting the need for comprehensive application security measures including input validation, output encoding, and secure database interaction patterns.