CVE-2005-4329 in pafiledb
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in pafiledb.php in PHP Arena paFileDB Extreme Edition RC 5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) newsid and (2) id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4329 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHP Arena paFileDB Extreme Edition RC 5 and earlier versions. This vulnerability exists in the pafiledb.php script which serves as the primary interface for file database operations within the application. The flaw manifests through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the newsid and id parameters to inject malicious SQL commands that bypass authentication and authorization checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection attacks where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user inputs are concatenated directly into SQL statements rather than using prepared statements or parameterized queries. This design flaw allows attackers to manipulate the database query execution flow by injecting SQL syntax that alters the intended command structure. The newsid and id parameters serve as entry points where malicious payloads can be constructed to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain unauthorized database access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise. Remote attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands which may result in unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete database destruction. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. Depending on the database configuration and the privileges assigned to the database user account, attackers might be able to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, or system configuration details. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit the flaw.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4329 should focus on immediate code-level remediation through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. The most effective approach involves replacing direct string concatenation of user inputs with prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from data values. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization routines and validating parameter ranges can prevent malicious payloads from being processed. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block SQL injection attempts. The remediation process should include thorough code review to identify similar patterns throughout the application that may present analogous vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that similar injection flaws are not present in other components of the application stack. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications through SQL injection attacks, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive security operations.