CVE-2005-4353 in toendaCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in toendaCMS 0.6.2.1, when configured to use a SQL database, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4353 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the toendaCMS content management system version 0.6.2.1. This vulnerability specifically affects the index.php script when the application is configured to interact with a sql database backend. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database layer. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs through the id parameter, which is commonly used in web applications for identifying and retrieving specific content items, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or parameterize user input before incorporating it into sql queries. When a user provides an id parameter through the web interface, the toendaCMS application directly concatenates this input into a sql statement without adequate sanitization measures. This creates an environment where attackers can manipulate the sql query structure by injecting malicious sql code through the id parameter, effectively bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumerations such as cwe-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how inadequate input validation can lead to complete database compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or modification. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute arbitrary sql commands with the privileges of the database user account that the toendaCMS application uses to connect to the database. This can result in complete database compromise, data exfiltration, unauthorized data modification, and potentially system compromise if the database user has elevated privileges. The vulnerability also enables attackers to perform advanced exploitation techniques such as blind sql injection, union-based attacks, and command execution through database-specific features, depending on the underlying sql database system in use. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to the execution phase of the kill chain and can be categorized under the attack technique of t1068, which involves exploiting vulnerabilities to execute malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application's codebase, particularly in the index.php script and any other components that handle user input for database operations. Organizations should implement proper sql escaping mechanisms and adopt prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent user input from being interpreted as sql code. Additionally, the application should be updated to a newer version of toendaCMS that addresses this vulnerability, as version 0.6.2.1 is likely outdated and may contain additional security flaws. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and database activity monitoring should also be deployed to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application infrastructure.