CVE-2007-0492 in webSPELL
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in gallery.php in webSPELL 4.01.02 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) id or (2) galleryID parameter. NOTE: The provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0492 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting webSPELL versions 4.01.02 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the gallery.php script, which is a core component of the webSPELL content management system designed for managing image galleries and multimedia content. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The vulnerability affects two distinct parameter names: id and galleryID, both of which are processed without adequate security measures to prevent malicious SQL code injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit specially crafted SQL commands through the vulnerable parameters in the gallery.php script. When the application processes these parameters without proper sanitization, the injected SQL code becomes part of the database query execution, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a classic example of how improper input handling can lead to complete database compromise. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without requiring authentication or specific privileges within the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers can leverage the SQL injection to enumerate database schemas, extract user credentials, modify content, or even escalate privileges within the application. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system. This makes it particularly attractive to malicious actors and increases the potential attack surface significantly. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor input validation practices that are commonly found in legacy applications, highlighting the importance of implementing proper security measures in web development.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The most effective approach involves using prepared statements with parameterized queries, which ensure that user input is properly escaped and treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization techniques, including whitelisting acceptable input formats, can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and database permissions to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the webSPELL application to version 4.01.03 or later, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. Security monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. This vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those recommended by the Open Web Application Security Project. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, and represents a fundamental security weakness that requires comprehensive remediation across all application layers.