CVE-2014-10029 in FluxBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in profile.php in FluxBB before 1.4.13 and 1.5.x before 1.5.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the req_new_email parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-10029 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the FluxBB bulletin board software ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 1.4.13 and 1.5.x versions before 1.5.7, making it a widespread concern for organizations maintaining legacy installations. The flaw resides in the profile.php script where user input validation is insufficient, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters.
The technical mechanism of this vulnerability operates through the req_new_email parameter within the profile.php file. When users attempt to update their email addresses through the profile management interface, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into sql queries. This improper input handling creates a direct injection vector where attackers can append malicious sql commands to the legitimate email update process. The vulnerability manifests as a classic sql injection attack pattern where the attacker can manipulate the query execution flow and potentially extract, modify, or delete database contents.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations utilizing FluxBB platforms. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary sql commands without requiring authentication, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The implications extend beyond simple data theft to include potential system escalation, data corruption, and unauthorized access to user accounts. Attackers could extract sensitive user information including usernames, email addresses, and potentially password hashes stored within the database. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where malicious actors might gain administrative access to the bulletin board system, allowing them to modify forum content, create new administrative accounts, or even execute arbitrary code on the server.
The security implications align with CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental weakness in data validation and input sanitization. This vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 for exploitation of remote services. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches to upgrade to FluxBB versions 1.4.13 or 1.5.7, respectively. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and block suspicious sql injection patterns. Input validation measures including parameterized queries and proper escaping mechanisms should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar flaws across all deployed web applications.