CVE-2005-4169 in eFiction
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in eFiction 1.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) let parameter in a viewlist action to authors.php and (2) sid parameter to viewstory.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4169 represents a critical security flaw in the eFiction 1.0 web application that exposes multiple pathways for remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands. This vulnerability falls under the category of SQL injection attacks as classified by CWE-89, which specifically addresses the condition where user-provided input is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The affected application demonstrates poor input validation practices that create exploitable entry points for malicious actors seeking to compromise the underlying database system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct attack vectors within the eFiction 1.0 application. The first vector involves the 'let' parameter within the viewlist action of the authors.php script, while the second vector targets the 'sid' parameter in the viewstory.php script. Both parameters are processed without adequate input filtering or sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the application's database queries. This flaw enables attackers to manipulate the database structure, extract sensitive information, modify data, or potentially gain unauthorized access to the database server itself.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4169 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary commands on the database server through the SQL injection vulnerabilities. This could result in complete database compromise, data exfiltration, modification of critical application data, or even privilege escalation within the database environment. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the application's data, making it a severe threat to any organization relying on the eFiction platform for content management or user interaction. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these vulnerabilities are accessible to remote attackers without requiring authentication or specialized access rights.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the fundamental input validation issues within the eFiction 1.0 application. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements throughout the application code to ensure that user input cannot be interpreted as SQL commands. Additionally, comprehensive input sanitization routines should be deployed to filter or escape special characters that could be used in SQL injection attempts. The application should also implement proper access controls and least privilege principles to limit the damage that could occur even if an attack succeeds. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploitation of remote services, and represents a classic example of how inadequate input validation can lead to complete system compromise through database-level attacks. The remediation process should include thorough code review to identify all potential input points and ensure that proper security measures are implemented across the entire application framework to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions.