CVE-2007-2259 in EsForum
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in forum.php in EsForum 3.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the idsalon parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2259 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the EsForum 3.0 web application, specifically affecting the forum.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user input through the idsalon parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation measures. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database query execution flow, potentially compromising the entire underlying database system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications, making it a well-documented and severe security concern within the cybersecurity community.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the idsalon parameter in the forum.php script to include malicious SQL payloads. When the application processes this parameter without proper input validation or parameterized queries, the injected SQL commands become part of the actual database query execution. This allows attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, deletion, or even privilege escalation within the database environment. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input sanitization practices and inadequate database query construction methods that have been widely documented in cybersecurity literature as fundamental security flaws.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can lead to complete system takeover scenarios. Attackers can leverage the SQL injection to extract sensitive user information, modify forum content, create new administrative accounts, or even gain access to underlying system resources. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the EsForum 3.0 application, potentially resulting in data breaches, service disruption, and reputational damage for organizations using the affected software. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems, and T1071.005 - Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, as it specifically targets web application interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to ensure that user-supplied data cannot be interpreted as SQL commands. Organizations should apply the vendor-supplied patches or upgrade to newer versions of EsForum that address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls, input sanitization routines, and regular security code reviews can prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework to prevent injection vulnerabilities in web applications. Organizations should conduct regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses across their entire application portfolio.