CVE-2007-1302 in LI-Guestbook
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in guestbook.php in LI-Guestbook 1.1, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the country parameter. NOTE: it was later reported that 1.2 is also affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1302 represents a critical sql injection flaw in the LI-Guestbook 1.1 web application that fundamentally undermines database security through improper input validation. This vulnerability specifically targets the guestbook.php script where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into sql queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. The flaw manifests when the php configuration directive magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters that would normally protect against sql injection attacks. This configuration setting essentially removes a critical defense mechanism that should have been protecting the application from malicious input manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the country parameter within the guestbook.php script, where an attacker can inject malicious sql code that gets executed within the database context. This creates a severe privilege escalation scenario where remote attackers can execute arbitrary sql commands, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, or unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the application's database. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects not only version 1.1 but also version 1.2, indicating a persistent flaw in the application's codebase that was not properly addressed in the subsequent release.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations using LI-Guestbook applications as it allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to database resources. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges or complex exploitation techniques beyond crafting malicious sql payloads. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws, and maps to attack techniques in the ATT&CK framework under TA0006 credential access and TA0002 execution. Organizations running affected versions face potential data breaches, unauthorized modifications to guestbook entries, and possible system compromise through database-level attacks that could extend beyond the immediate application scope.
The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate patching of the application to address the sql injection vulnerability, ensuring that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block sql injection attempts, while conducting thorough security audits of all input handling mechanisms within the application. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary database privileges for the web application user, implementing proper logging and monitoring for sql injection attempts, and establishing secure coding practices that prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future development cycles. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangers of relying on configuration settings that may be disabled in production environments.