CVE-2001-0425 in Adcycle
Summary
by MITRE
AdLibrary.pm in AdCycle 0.78b allows remote attackers to gain privileges to AdCycle via a malformed Agent: header in the HTTP request, which is inserted into a resulting SQL query that is used to verify login information.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0425 affects AdCycle version 0.78b through a critical flaw in the AdLibrary.pm component that handles HTTP request processing. This issue represents a classic SQL injection vulnerability where attacker-controlled input is improperly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The specific vector involves manipulation of the HTTP Agent header field, which is subsequently processed without adequate input validation or sanitization measures. The vulnerability exists within the authentication verification logic where user-provided data directly influences SQL query construction, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization practices within the AdLibrary.pm module. When a client sends an HTTP request containing a malformed Agent header, the system fails to properly escape or parameterize this input before incorporating it into the SQL query string used for login verification. This represents a direct violation of secure coding principles and demonstrates poor input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-89 SQL Injection, specifically categorized as an untrusted input being directly concatenated into SQL queries without proper sanitization. The attack exploits the fundamental weakness where user-controllable data flows directly into database operations, bypassing any protective layers that should normally exist between user input and database execution contexts.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to the targeted system as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to the AdCycle application and potentially escalate privileges within the database environment. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive user credentials, modify database records, or even execute administrative commands on the underlying database system. The impact extends beyond simple authentication bypass as the vulnerability could facilitate data exfiltration, unauthorized modifications to advertising content, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications and T1078 for legitimate credentials access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures within the AdLibrary.pm component. The most effective approach involves adopting parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user input cannot influence SQL query structure regardless of its content. Additionally, implementing proper HTTP header validation and sanitization mechanisms will prevent malicious Agent headers from being processed. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious HTTP request patterns. The fix should include comprehensive input validation that rejects or sanitizes any non-standard characters in HTTP headers before they are processed. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. System administrators should also monitor for exploitation attempts through log analysis and implement proper access controls to limit the potential damage from successful attacks. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing SQL injection attacks that can compromise entire database systems.