CVE-2005-4586 in PHPSurveyor
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in PHPSurveyor before 0.991 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) sql parameter in browse.php and the (2) sid, (3) lid, (4) gid, and (5) token parameters in certain PHP scripts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4586 represents a critical security flaw in PHPSurveyor version 0.991 and earlier, exposing multiple pathways for remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability affects the core database interaction mechanisms within the survey management system, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data and system compromise. The flaw manifests in multiple locations within the application's codebase, specifically targeting the browse.php script and several parameter handling functions across various PHP scripts. The security implications are severe as SQL injection vulnerabilities of this nature can enable attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract confidential information, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the affected system environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the PHPSurveyor application's database query construction processes. Attackers can exploit the sql parameter in browse.php to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed by the database server without proper filtering or escaping mechanisms. Additionally, the sid, lid, gid, and token parameters across multiple PHP scripts present similar attack vectors where user-supplied input directly influences SQL query construction. These parameters typically represent survey identifiers, question identifiers, group identifiers, and security tokens respectively, making them particularly valuable targets for exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to complete database compromise. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where attackers leverage application weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to backend systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4586 extends beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling full system compromise and persistent access to survey data repositories. Remote attackers could exploit these vulnerabilities to access confidential survey responses, user information, and administrative credentials stored in the database. The vulnerability's widespread nature across multiple scripts increases the attack surface and makes detection more challenging for system administrators. Organizations using affected versions of PHPSurveyor face significant risk of data breaches, compliance violations, and potential regulatory penalties. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with varying skill levels. Database administrators and security teams must consider the possibility of lateral movement within network environments where compromised survey systems may serve as entry points to broader infrastructure. The vulnerability also impacts data integrity and availability, as attackers could potentially modify or delete survey data, disrupt service availability, or create backdoors for future access. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through patching or implementing compensating controls such as input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls to protect against exploitation attempts.