CVE-2010-5004 in Polls Script
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in searchvote.php in 2daybiz Polls (aka Advanced Poll) Script allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the category parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The CVE-2010-5004 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the 2daybiz Polls script, specifically within the searchvote.php component. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly the category parameter that is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper escaping or parameterization. The flaw exists in the advanced poll script version that was widely distributed in 2010, making it a legacy vulnerability that continues to pose risks in unpatched systems. The vulnerability is classified under cwe-89 as sql injection, which is a well-documented weakness in web applications that allows attackers to manipulate backend database queries through malicious input.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malicious value through the category parameter in the searchvote.php script. The application fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before incorporating it into sql statements, allowing the attacker to inject additional sql commands that execute with the privileges of the web application's database user. This can result in unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise depending on the underlying database permissions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to perform arbitrary sql operations without authentication, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector is remote and requires no special privileges, making it highly exploitable in environments where the vulnerable script is deployed.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2010-5004 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within networks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or business-critical information stored in the database. The vulnerability also provides a potential entry point for further attacks, as compromised database credentials may be used to access other systems or escalate privileges within the organization. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the attack framework under initial access and privilege escalation categories, where database compromise serves as a foundation for broader security breaches. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the 2daybiz Polls script face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-5004 should focus on immediate patching of the vulnerable application, implementing proper input validation and sanitization, and applying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts. The most effective remediation involves updating to the latest version of the 2daybiz Polls script that contains proper sql injection protections and input validation mechanisms. Organizations should also implement parameterized queries or prepared statements in all database interactions to prevent sql injection attacks, following secure coding practices recommended by owasp and nist guidelines. Additionally, database access should be restricted to the minimum necessary privileges, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing proper security controls to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.