CVE-2005-4221 in Arab Portal
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in link.php in Arab Portal System 2 Beta 2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) PHPSESSID (session ID) or (2) REQUEST_URI (query string).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2025
The CVE-2005-4221 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the arab portal system version 2 beta 2, specifically affecting the link.php component. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution attacks through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries. The flaw manifests when the application processes session identifiers and query strings without adequate sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject crafted sql commands that bypass authentication and access sensitive data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary vectors: the PHPSESSID parameter and the REQUEST_URI parameter. When attackers manipulate these parameters, they can inject malicious sql payloads that the application processes directly within its database queries. This allows adversaries to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database system, potentially gaining unauthorized access to user credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data stored within the portal's database infrastructure. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration, which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands as a fundamental security flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized administrative access. Attackers can leverage the sql injection to escalate privileges, modify database contents, create backdoor accounts, or even execute operating system commands if the database server allows such functionality. The arab portal system's exposure to this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations relying on this platform, particularly those handling sensitive user information or requiring robust security controls. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 application layer protocol and T1046 network service scanning, as attackers would typically probe for such vulnerabilities before establishing persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4221 require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application code. The most effective remediation involves implementing parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks, along with comprehensive input sanitization of all user-supplied data. Organizations should also implement proper session management practices and ensure that session identifiers like PHPSESSID are properly validated and sanitized before use in database operations. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase, particularly focusing on areas where user input is directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization or validation measures.