CVE-2005-4334 in ZixForum
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in ZixForum 1.12 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the H_ID parameter to (1) zixforum/forum.asp, as used in (2) Headforums.asp and (3) Subject.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4334 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within ZixForum 1.12 software, specifically targeting the H_ID parameter in three key components including forum.asp, Headforums.asp, and Subject.asp. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which defines SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or validation. The affected application fails to implement adequate input validation mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to manipulate database queries through carefully crafted input parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious input through the H_ID parameter, which is then directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the database context, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability exists across multiple entry points within the forum application, amplifying its impact as attackers can exploit any of the three affected files to achieve the same malicious outcome. The lack of proper input filtering and parameterized query implementation creates a direct pathway for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain elevated privileges within the database environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to potentially compromise the entire database infrastructure supporting the forum application. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, allowing attackers to extract sensitive user information including credentials, personal data, and forum content. Additionally, attackers could modify or delete forum posts, manipulate user accounts, and potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the application. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before database interaction. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, while establishing comprehensive logging and monitoring systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough code reviews focusing on database query construction, implementation of prepared statements or stored procedures, and regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing. Additionally, following security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and implementing proper access controls and database security measures will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future implementations.