CVE-2005-4615 in DapperDesk
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in news.php in DapperDesk 3.0.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4615 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the DapperDesk 3.0.1 software suite and earlier versions. This vulnerability specifically affects the news.php script which serves as a core component for displaying news content within the application's interface. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The page parameter, which is commonly used to determine which news article or section to display, becomes the primary attack vector for malicious actors seeking to exploit this weakness.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a persistent flaw where untrusted data is directly concatenated into SQL command strings without proper escaping or parameterization. Attackers can manipulate the page parameter to inject malicious SQL code that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms and executes arbitrary database commands. This allows unauthorized users to perform operations such as data retrieval, modification, deletion, or even gain administrative privileges within the database system. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to implement proper input sanitization techniques, relying instead on direct string concatenation methods that leave the system exposed to malicious input manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or corruption, as it provides attackers with substantial control over the underlying database infrastructure. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and business-critical information stored within the application's database. The consequences may include complete system compromise, unauthorized data manipulation, and potential service disruption that affects the organization's operational continuity. Organizations relying on DapperDesk 3.0.1 or earlier versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and data breaches that could result in regulatory penalties, financial losses, and reputational damage. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web-hosted applications.
Security mitigations for CVE-2005-4615 should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates to the latest available version of DapperDesk that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures that reject or escape potentially malicious characters before incorporating user data into database queries. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries represents the most effective defense against SQL injection attacks, as these techniques separate the SQL command structure from the data being processed. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious database access patterns. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. The remediation process must also include comprehensive testing to ensure that the applied fixes do not introduce regressions in application functionality while maintaining the security posture against similar attack vectors. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten project and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.