CVE-2005-4554 in Web Management System
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in DEV web management system 1.5 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) cat parameter in an openforum action (openforum.php) in index.php, (2) cat parameter in getfile.php, and (3) target parameter in download_now.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2025
The CVE-2005-4554 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the DEV web management system version 1.5 and earlier, exposing multiple SQL injection attack vectors that enable remote code execution. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling within the web application's database interaction mechanisms, creating exploitable entry points that adversaries can leverage to manipulate backend database operations. The flaw specifically affects three distinct file components: openforum.php within index.php, getfile.php, and download_now.php, each containing vulnerable parameters that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a condition where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper validation or escaping. The affected parameters cat and target in the respective PHP files demonstrate poor input sanitization practices where user-provided values are directly concatenated into database queries without appropriate filtering mechanisms. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that can alter the intended query execution flow, potentially leading to unauthorized database access, data manipulation, or complete system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations utilizing the DEV web management system, as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands from outside the network perimeter. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system takeover, data corruption, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the database. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to escalate privileges, extract confidential data, modify database contents, or even gain shell access to the underlying server through database backdoors. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access or prior authentication, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for web applications with public-facing interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4554 should prioritize immediate patching of the DEV web management system to version 1.6 or later, as this addresses the core input validation issues that enable SQL injection attacks. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements in all database interactions to prevent user input from being interpreted as SQL commands. Input validation and sanitization measures must be strengthened at multiple layers including application-level filtering, web application firewalls, and database access controls. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting database user permissions to only essential operations, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while regular penetration testing can validate the effectiveness of implemented security controls against similar attack vectors.