CVE-2005-4362 in Komodo CMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in page.php in Komodo CMS 2.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4362 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Komodo CMS version 2.1, specifically affecting the page.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the page parameter, which fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming data before incorporating it into database queries. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the application's database interface, potentially compromising the entire backend system. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, making it a classic example of SQL injection vulnerability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing SQL syntax within the page parameter of the page.php script. When the CMS processes this input without proper input validation or parameterized queries, the injected SQL commands execute within the database context, allowing attackers to perform unauthorized operations such as data extraction, modification, or deletion. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from outside the network perimeter without requiring local system access or authentication credentials, significantly increasing the attack surface and potential impact. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the exploitation of remote services through injection attacks, and T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4362 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, extract confidential database contents including user credentials, personal information, and potentially sensitive business data. The vulnerability also enables attackers to modify or delete content within the CMS, potentially causing service disruption or data corruption. Organizations running Komodo CMS 2.1 are particularly at risk since this vulnerability affects the core content management functionality, potentially allowing attackers to gain persistent access to the system and establish backdoors for continued unauthorized access. The lack of proper input validation in the page parameter makes this attack vector particularly dangerous as it requires minimal technical expertise to exploit effectively.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4362 must focus on immediate remediation through proper input validation and parameterized queries implementation. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of Komodo CMS, as version 2.1 is no longer supported and contains multiple known vulnerabilities. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in database queries, and adopting parameterized or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection. Additionally, organizations should implement proper access controls, network segmentation, and monitoring of database activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security measures such as web application firewalls and database activity monitoring tools can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in legacy systems. According to industry best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-45 and OWASP Top Ten, proper input validation and secure coding practices are essential for preventing SQL injection attacks, making this vulnerability a prime example of why organizations must maintain up-to-date security practices and software versions.