CVE-2005-4144 in List Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Lyris ListManager 5.0 through 8.9a allows remote attackers to add "ORDER BY" columns to SQL queries via unusual whitespace characters in the orderby parameter, such as (1) newlines and (2) 0xFF (ASCII 255) characters, which are interpreted as whitespace.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2019
CVE-2005-4144 represents a SQL injection vulnerability affecting Lyris ListManager versions 5.0 through 8.9a that demonstrates a classic input validation flaw in web application query processing. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of the orderby parameter which is used to construct dynamic SQL queries for database sorting operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting unusual whitespace characters including newlines and the 0xFF (ASCII 255) character into the orderby parameter, effectively bypassing standard input filtering mechanisms that typically only consider standard whitespace characters like spaces and tabs.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-94 category of Code Injection and specifically relates to improper handling of input data in SQL query construction. The flaw operates at the application layer where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The exploitation technique leverages the fact that SQL parsers treat these unusual whitespace characters as valid separators, allowing attackers to manipulate the structure of SQL queries and potentially inject malicious SQL code. The use of 0xFF characters particularly demonstrates a sophisticated approach to bypassing basic input validation that may only filter standard ASCII whitespace characters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive database information including user credentials, personal data, and system configurations. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations through the ORDER BY clause, potentially leading to data leakage, modification, or even complete database compromise. This type of injection attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1213.002 for data from information repositories, representing a significant threat to database security.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures that consider all possible whitespace characters including non-standard ones. The most effective approach involves using parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user input cannot alter the structure of SQL commands. Additionally, implementing proper input filtering that rejects or normalizes all unusual whitespace characters, including 0xFF and newline sequences, will prevent exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules that specifically target this class of vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough code review to identify all dynamic query construction points and ensure proper parameterization of database operations. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of comprehensive input validation and the need to consider all possible character representations when implementing security controls.