CVE-2005-4495 in mx7
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** SQL injection vulnerability in index.cfm in SpireMedia mx7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cid parameter. NOTE: the vendor has disputed this issue, stating "This information is incorrect, unproven, and potentially slanderous." However, CVE and OSVDB have both performed additional research that suggests that this might be path disclosure from invalid SQL syntax.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4495 relates to a potential SQL injection flaw in the SpireMedia mx7 content management system, specifically within the index.cfm component. This issue was initially reported to allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through manipulation of the cid parameter, representing a significant security concern for web applications that process user input directly into database queries. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation, which is a fundamental weakness in application security architecture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability would involve crafting malicious input for the cid parameter that could alter the intended SQL query structure. When applications fail to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into database commands, attackers can inject additional SQL syntax that modifies the query execution flow. This type of flaw directly maps to CWE-89, which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database. The specific nature of the vulnerability suggests that the application's parameter handling mechanism does not adequately protect against such injection attacks.
From an operational perspective, if this vulnerability were exploitable, it would provide attackers with potentially severe consequences including unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system takeover scenarios where attackers could escalate privileges and gain deeper access to underlying infrastructure. This vulnerability would be particularly concerning for applications handling sensitive information, as it could enable unauthorized access to confidential data and potentially facilitate further attacks within the network environment.
Security researchers and vendors have noted that while the original vendor has disputed the validity of this specific CVE, additional investigation suggests this might represent a path disclosure vulnerability rather than a true SQL injection. Path disclosure vulnerabilities occur when applications inadvertently reveal file system paths or internal application details through error messages or response content, which can aid attackers in understanding the application structure. This distinction is important for proper threat modeling and mitigation planning, as path disclosure vulnerabilities, while serious, represent different attack vectors compared to direct SQL injection exploits. Organizations should implement proper input validation, parameterized queries, and comprehensive error handling to address both potential SQL injection and path disclosure scenarios. The ATT&CK framework would categorize such vulnerabilities under T1190 for exploit for client execution and T1071.004 for application layer protocol, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches including network segmentation, web application firewalls, and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in legacy systems.
The disputed nature of this CVE highlights the importance of thorough verification and research in vulnerability assessment. Security professionals must carefully evaluate vendor claims against independent research findings and consider multiple sources of information when determining the true scope and impact of security issues. This case demonstrates how initial vulnerability reports may require additional validation and how different interpretations of the same vulnerability can emerge from various research perspectives, ultimately affecting how organizations prioritize and address security concerns.