CVE-2005-4486 in Qp7 Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** SQL injection vulnerability in Quantum Art QP7.Enterprise (formerly Q-Publishing) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the p_news_id parameter to (1) news_and_events_new.asp and (2) news.asp. NOTE: on 20060227, the vendor disputed the accuracy of this report, saying that the p_news_id, news_and_events_new.asp, and news.asp are not specifically part of their product, although they could be dynamically generated through use of the product. Some investigation by CVE suggests evidence that the news_and_events_new.asp page has at least a forced invalid SQL syntax error, but this could not be repeated for news.asp.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4486 represents a disputed sql injection flaw within Quantum Art QP7.Enterprise, formerly known as Q-Publishing, a web content management system. This vulnerability specifically targets the p_news_id parameter in two critical web pages: news_and_events_new.asp and news.asp. The disputed nature of this vulnerability stems from vendor claims that these specific files are not directly part of their core product but may be dynamically generated through product usage, creating ambiguity about the actual attack surface and the validity of the reported exploit.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation of the p_news_id parameter, which allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands into the application's database layer. When user-supplied input containing sql injection payloads is processed without adequate sanitization or parameterization, it creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate database queries and execute unauthorized commands. This type of vulnerability directly maps to common weakness enumeration CWE-89, which classifies sql injection as a critical security flaw where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper validation or escaping.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it potentially enables complete database compromise through remote code execution capabilities. Attackers could leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information, modify database content, delete records, or even escalate privileges within the application environment. The fact that the vulnerability affects multiple endpoints through news_and_events_new.asp and news.asp increases the attack surface and potential exploitation scenarios. According to the attack technique framework, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, specifically targeting web application interfaces.
Security practitioners must carefully evaluate the disputed nature of this vulnerability and consider the vendor's assertion about dynamically generated pages when assessing risk. The investigation findings suggesting that news_and_events_new.asp exhibits forced invalid sql syntax errors indicate partial validation mechanisms may exist, but this could not be replicated for news.asp, highlighting inconsistent security implementation. Organizations utilizing Quantum Art QP7.Enterprise should conduct thorough code reviews of dynamically generated content and implement proper input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls to protect against sql injection attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing that includes dynamic content generation scenarios, as these areas may contain undiscovered security flaws despite being considered part of the broader product ecosystem.
The disputed classification of this vulnerability underscores the challenges in vulnerability assessment when dealing with complex web applications that generate dynamic content. Security professionals should recognize that even if specific files are not directly part of a vendor's core product, they may still represent valid attack vectors if they can be influenced through product usage. This case highlights the necessity for comprehensive security testing that encompasses both static and dynamic application components, particularly in content management systems where dynamic page generation creates additional security considerations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that sql injection remains a prevalent threat requiring consistent attention through proper input validation, secure coding practices, and continuous security monitoring across all application interfaces.