CVE-2005-4027 in SimpleBBS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in SimpleBBS 1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified search module parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4027 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within SimpleBBS version 1.1, a web-based bulletin board system that was widely used in the early 2000s for online community forums. This vulnerability resides within the search module functionality of the application, where user input is improperly validated and directly incorporated into SQL query constructions without adequate sanitization or parameterization measures. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries by injecting malicious SQL code through unspecified search parameters, thereby potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or executing arbitrary database operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within its search functionality. When users submit search queries through the web interface, the SimpleBBS application accepts these inputs and incorporates them directly into database queries without appropriate escaping or parameterization. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is concatenated into SQL commands. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of insecure data handling practices that have been consistently identified as one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws across numerous security frameworks and standards.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe implications for organizations utilizing SimpleBBS 1.1, as it allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute unauthorized database operations. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, including data theft, data modification, or even database deletion. Attackers might extract sensitive user information such as usernames, passwords, and personal details stored in the database, potentially leading to further credential compromise and lateral movement within affected networks. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The security implications extend beyond immediate data compromise to encompass potential system-wide breaches that could affect the integrity and availability of the entire bulletin board system. Depending on the database permissions and configuration, attackers might escalate privileges to execute administrative database commands, modify application logic, or establish persistent backdoors within the system. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, which consistently ranks SQL injection among the most critical web application security risks. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation, use parameterized queries, and maintain up-to-date security patches to prevent such vulnerabilities from being exploited in real-world scenarios. The remediation approach should include immediate patching of the affected SimpleBBS version, implementation of proper input sanitization measures, and regular security assessments to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure.