CVE-2007-1292 in vBulletin
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in inlinemod.php in Jelsoft vBulletin before 3.5.8, and before 3.6.5 in the 3.6.x series, might allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the postids parameter. NOTE: the vendor states that the attack is feasible only in circumstances "almost impossible to achieve."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1292 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the inlinemod.php script of Jelsoft vBulletin forums before specific version releases. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 3.5.8 and 3.6.5 within the 3.6.x series, creating a significant security risk for forum administrators and users who rely on these platforms for community engagement and content management. The flaw manifests through the improper handling of user-supplied input in the postids parameter, which is commonly used for batch operations within the forum's administrative interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the inlinemod.php script. When administrators or authorized users perform batch operations such as approving, deleting, or modifying multiple posts simultaneously, the postids parameter receives user input that should be properly escaped or parameterized before being incorporated into SQL queries. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can manipulate the postids parameter to inject malicious SQL commands that bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary database operations with the privileges of the web application. This represents a classic SQL injection attack vector that aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it enables authenticated attackers to potentially gain full administrative control over forum databases. Given that the attack requires only authenticated access, the threat landscape becomes more concerning as it leverages legitimate user credentials rather than requiring external exploitation techniques. The vendor's statement that the attack is "almost impossible to achieve" likely refers to the specific conditions required for successful exploitation, including the need for an attacker to already possess valid user credentials and the necessity of crafting precise malicious payloads that bypass various security controls. However, this assessment does not diminish the severity of the vulnerability, as the mere existence of such a flaw creates potential attack vectors that could be exploited through credential compromise or other means.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning within enterprise environments where forum systems serve as communication platforms for internal collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community management. When considering the broader threat landscape and alignment with MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control through database manipulation and privilege escalation. Organizations using affected vBulletin versions face potential risks including unauthorized data access, data corruption, and possible lateral movement within network environments where these forums are integrated with other systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, as the flaw demonstrates how insufficient sanitization of user inputs can lead to severe consequences in multi-user environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems to versions 3.5.8 or 3.6.5, as these releases contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures and parameterized queries throughout their web applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging. Network segmentation and monitoring of forum access patterns can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate other potential SQL injection vulnerabilities within the broader application ecosystem. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing robust security monitoring protocols to protect against known exploits that could be leveraged by threat actors seeking to compromise web applications.