CVE-2005-4403 in Marwel
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in Marwel 2.7 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the show parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4403 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Marwel content management system version 2.7 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the index.php script where user input is improperly handled, specifically in the show parameter which serves as the primary attack vector for malicious actors. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate input data before incorporating it into SQL query constructs, creating an environment where attackers can manipulate database operations through crafted malicious input sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit specially crafted values to the show parameter in the index.php file. These malicious inputs are then directly embedded into SQL commands without adequate filtering or parameterization, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL code that executes within the database context. The flaw manifests as a classic SQL injection attack pattern where the application's database layer becomes compromised through user-controlled input manipulation, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform complete database compromise. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, data corruption, privilege escalation within the database system, and potentially full system compromise if the database server has elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including Marwel 2.7, indicating a long-standing flaw that was not properly addressed in the application's security architecture. This type of vulnerability directly relates to CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands as a fundamental weakness in software applications.
Organizations utilizing affected Marwel versions face significant security risks due to this vulnerability, as it enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute commands with database-level privileges. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists in a content management system where user interaction is common, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of SQL injection to gain access to databases and extract sensitive information. The vulnerability also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation through SQL injection attacks, highlighting the protocol-level exploitation that occurs when attackers manipulate database query structures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized query construction practices. Organizations should upgrade to Marwel versions that have addressed this vulnerability through proper code review and security patching processes. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input sanitization techniques that filter or escape special characters used in SQL contexts, combined with the adoption of parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user input cannot alter the intended structure of database commands. Additionally, network segmentation and database access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components.