CVE-2005-4416 in TML
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in TML CMS 0.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4416 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the TML CMS version 0.5 content management system. This security weakness resides in the index.php file where the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into SQL database queries. The specific parameter affected is the 'id' parameter which is commonly used for content identification and retrieval within web applications. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application processes it directly without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged for unauthorized database access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of user-supplied data within database query construction. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a widespread vulnerability occurring when user input is directly concatenated into SQL commands without proper sanitization. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system, potentially enabling full database compromise. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and the absence of parameterized queries or proper escaping mechanisms that would prevent malicious SQL code from being interpreted as part of the intended query structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with comprehensive access to the database backend that powers the TML CMS system. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized data modification, data deletion, user account compromise, and potentially complete system takeover. Attackers might leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or administrative access tokens, and could even inject malicious code into the database to maintain persistent access. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the server infrastructure, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for web applications that handle sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before being processed in database operations. Security measures should include input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters commonly used in SQL injection attacks, along with comprehensive code reviews to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring systems can provide additional layers of protection. This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer attacks, demonstrating how fundamental input validation failures can lead to severe security consequences that require both immediate patching and systematic security improvements to prevent future incidents.