CVE-2007-1171 in NukeSentinel
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in includes/nsbypass.php in NukeSentinel 2.5.05, 2.5.11, and other versions before 2.5.12 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via an admin cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1171 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the NukeSentinel security module for PHP-Nuke platforms. This vulnerability specifically affects versions 2.5.05, 2.5.11, and prior releases up to but not including version 2.5.12. The flaw resides in the includes/nsbypass.php file, which processes administrative cookies without proper input sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system's database layer. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands directly against the underlying database, bypassing normal authentication mechanisms and potentially gaining complete control over the affected system's data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the admin cookie parameter that is processed by the nsbypass.php script. When an attacker crafts a malicious cookie value containing SQL payload data, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into database queries. This lack of proper input validation creates a classic SQL injection vector where attacker-controlled data is concatenated directly into SQL command strings. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is used in SQL queries without proper sanitization. The flaw demonstrates poor secure coding practices and inadequate parameter validation mechanisms that are fundamental to preventing database injection attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-1171 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from the database including user credentials, administrative access details, and potentially sensitive application data. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require local system access or physical presence to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in web-based environments. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services, and T1071.005, which addresses application layer protocol manipulation. The compromise of administrative cookies suggests that attackers could potentially escalate privileges and gain full administrative control over the PHP-Nuke platform, leading to complete system takeover and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1171 focus primarily on immediate patching and implementation of proper input validation. Organizations should upgrade to NukeSentinel version 2.5.12 or later, which includes fixes addressing the SQL injection vulnerability in the nsbypass.php file. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization and parameterized queries in the affected code would prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense in depth, though they cannot replace proper code-level fixes. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database access patterns and cookie manipulation attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding guidelines and implementing proper input validation at all levels of application development, particularly when handling user-supplied data in database operations.