CVE-2005-4527 in Direct News
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Direct News 4.9 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the setLang parameter in index.php and (2) unspecified search module parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4527 represents a critical security flaw in Direct News version 4.9 that exposes the application to multiple SQL injection attack vectors. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's parameter handling mechanisms, specifically affecting the index.php script and an unspecified search module. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code through carefully crafted parameters, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-supplied input in two distinct attack vectors. The first vector targets the setLang parameter within index.php, where user-provided language settings are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The second vector operates through unspecified search module parameters that likely follow similar patterns of insecure input processing. Both attack paths demonstrate a classic SQL injection weakness that falls under CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. This categorization reflects the fundamental flaw in how the application processes user input that ultimately gets executed as database commands.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4527 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands with the privileges of the database user. This capability allows for complete database enumeration, data modification, deletion, and potentially system command execution depending on the database configuration and underlying operating system permissions. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and business-critical information stored within the database. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4527 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly escaped or sanitized before being incorporated into SQL statements. Database access should be restricted to the minimum required privileges, and all database connections should utilize secure authentication mechanisms. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, while also establishing comprehensive monitoring and logging of database activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, making it essential to implement both defensive measures and continuous security assessment protocols to prevent successful exploitation attempts.