CVE-2007-1154 in webSPELL
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in webSPELL allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a ws_auth cookie, a different vulnerability than CVE-2006-4782.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2017
The SQL injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1154 affects the webSPELL content management system and represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the ws_auth cookie parameter, which is utilized for authentication purposes within the webSPELL framework. Unlike CVE-2006-4782 which addressed a different authentication mechanism, this vulnerability focuses on the cookie-based authentication handling process where insufficient input validation allows malicious users to inject SQL code directly into the authentication flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied input within the webSPELL authentication module. When the system processes the ws_auth cookie, it fails to adequately validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as SQL syntax by the underlying database engine. This allows an attacker to craft malicious cookie values containing SQL injection payloads that bypass normal authentication mechanisms and directly manipulate the database. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the authentication layer, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, extract sensitive user data, or even gain administrative control over the webSPELL installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform comprehensive database manipulation operations. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to user credentials, personal information, and potentially allow attackers to modify or delete content within the webSPELL system. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or knowledge of valid credentials to exploit it, making it particularly attractive to malicious actors. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses in input validation where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization. The attack vector specifically follows the pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "SQL Injection" (T1073) where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious SQL commands against backend databases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1154 should prioritize immediate patching of the webSPELL installation with the vendor-provided security update. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms for all cookie parameters, particularly those used in authentication contexts. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries in the database interaction layer would prevent the injection of malicious SQL code regardless of input values. Additionally, network-level security measures such as web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and filter suspicious cookie values. Regular security audits of authentication mechanisms and input validation processes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper parameter handling in web applications, with recommendations to follow the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and implement proper input sanitization techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern, as the attack signatures are relatively predictable and can be detected through network traffic analysis.