CVE-2005-4612 in VUBB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in VUBB alpha rc1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) f parameter to viewforum.php, (2) t parameter to viewtopic.php, and (3) view parameter to usercp.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4612 represents a critical security flaw in VUBB alpha rc1 bulletin board software that exposes multiple pathways for remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability affects three distinct endpoints within the application: the f parameter in viewforum.php, the t parameter in viewtopic.php, and the view parameter in usercp.php. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructions. These parameters serve as direct entry points for malicious input that can manipulate the underlying database queries, potentially allowing attackers to bypass authentication, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even execute system commands depending on the database backend configuration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization. The attack vectors leverage the fact that the application directly concatenates user-provided parameters into SQL statements without employing prepared statements or proper parameterized queries. When an attacker submits malicious input through any of the three vulnerable parameters, the application processes this input without adequate validation, resulting in the execution of unintended SQL operations. The impact is particularly severe because these endpoints correspond to core functionality within the bulletin board system, providing access to forum listings, topic displays, and user control panel operations.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations using VUBB alpha rc1, as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database infrastructure. Attackers can exploit these injection points to enumerate database schemas, extract user credentials, modify forum content, or even escalate privileges within the application. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit these flaws, making them particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments. The three distinct attack vectors increase the overall exploitability surface, as an attacker only needs to find one vulnerable parameter to achieve their objectives, and the interconnected nature of forum functionality means that exploitation in one area could potentially lead to broader system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4612 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms throughout the application codebase. The most effective approach involves transitioning from dynamic SQL query construction to prepared statements or parameterized queries, which separate SQL command structure from data values. Additionally, implementing proper input filtering, escaping user-supplied data, and employing least privilege database access controls can significantly reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, while conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in database access design, as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including those referenced by the ATT&CK framework for application layer attacks.