CVE-2014-5102 in vBulletin
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in vBulletin 5.0.4 through 5.1.3 Alpha 5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the criteria[startswith] parameter to ajax/render/memberlist_items.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5102 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the vBulletin forum software ecosystem affecting versions 5.0.4 through 5.1.3 Alpha 5. This vulnerability resides in the ajax/render/memberlist_items endpoint where the criteria[startswith] parameter fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into sql query constructions. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries by injecting malicious sql payloads through the memberlist_items ajax endpoint, which is commonly used for displaying user directories and member search functionalities within the forum interface.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql commands without proper validation or sanitization. The attack vector operates through the web application's ajax interface where legitimate user interactions with member search features become potential entry points for malicious sql command execution. When an attacker submits crafted input through the criteria[startswith] parameter, the application processes this data without adequate input filtering, allowing sql injection payloads to be interpreted and executed by the database engine. This creates a scenario where attackers can bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or potentially escalate privileges within the affected system.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5102 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can retrieve user credentials, personal information, forum configuration details, and other database contents that may include administrative accounts with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or knowledge of internal network structures to initiate attacks. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where vBulletin forums serve as central communication platforms for organizations, government agencies, or businesses handling sensitive information. The affected versions represent a significant attack surface since vBulletin was widely adopted across various industries including healthcare, finance, and government sectors where forum data often contains confidential communications and user information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5102 should prioritize immediate patch application to versions 5.1.3 Beta 1 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and parameter sanitization. Organizations should implement web application firewalls that can detect and block sql injection patterns targeting the specific ajax endpoint and parameter combinations. Input validation measures including strict parameter type checking, length restrictions, and character set validation should be implemented at the application level to prevent malicious payloads from reaching database execution layers. Network segmentation and access control measures can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation by restricting database access to only necessary application servers. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database query patterns and unauthorized access attempts to forum member data. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential sql injection points within their vBulletin installations and ensure that all related components maintain proper security configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with attack techniques documented in the attack tree framework where sql injection represents a common initial access vector for database compromise scenarios.