CVE-2005-4431 in WowBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in WowBB 1.65 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the q parameter to search.php. NOTE: the view_user.php/sort_by vector is already covered by CVE-2005-1554 and CVE-2004-2181.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4431 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the WowBB 1.65 bulletin board system that exposes remote attackers to arbitrary code execution capabilities. This vulnerability specifically targets the search.php script where the q parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization measures. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject malicious SQL commands directly into the database query execution flow, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient parameter handling within the application's input processing logic, creating a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations through crafted malicious input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query construction. When the q parameter is submitted through the search.php endpoint, the application directly concatenates this input into database queries without appropriate sanitization techniques such as prepared statements or proper input escaping. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, making it susceptible to manipulation by attackers who can craft SQL payloads that alter the intended query behavior. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user input is improperly handled, creating a direct attack surface that bypasses normal database security controls and authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive user credentials, personal information, and potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative access to the bulletin board system. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform data manipulation, delete records, create new user accounts, or even execute system commands if the database server allows such operations. The implications are especially severe for forums containing sensitive user data, as the compromise of one bulletin board system could expose thousands of user accounts and their associated information.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input validation and parameterized query implementation. Organizations must implement proper input sanitization measures including the use of prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The application should validate and sanitize all user input before processing, particularly parameters used in database operations. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database permissions can limit the damage from successful exploitation by restricting database user privileges. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards like those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for preventing SQL injection vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other application components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.