CVE-2007-1729 in Flexbb
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in includes/start.php in Flexbb 1.0.0 10005 Beta Release 1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the flexbb_lang_id COOKIE parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1729 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Flexbb 1.0.0 beta release software, specifically targeting the includes/start.php component. This vulnerability manifests through the improper handling of user-supplied input within the flexbb_lang_id cookie parameter, which is processed by the index.php script. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the application's database interactions by injecting malicious sql commands through crafted cookie values. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses where untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious cookie value containing sql payload within the flexbb_lang_id parameter. When the index.php script processes this cookie value in the includes/start.php file, the application fails to validate or sanitize the input before incorporating it into database queries. This creates a direct pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database, potentially leading to data exfiltration, modification, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the absence of proper parameterized query mechanisms that would prevent malicious sql code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges within the application's database environment. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive user information, modification of application data, or even complete system compromise if the database user has elevated privileges. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the owasp top ten, specifically addressing the sql injection category that consistently ranks among the most critical web application security risks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all cookie parameters, particularly those used in database operations. Application developers should employ parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user input cannot be interpreted as sql code. Additionally, the implementation of proper cookie security measures including secure flags and http-only attributes can help reduce attack surface. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms to detect and prevent malicious cookie values. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege when designing database interactions. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be implemented to identify similar input validation weaknesses that could lead to similar sql injection vulnerabilities. This case study reinforces the necessity of comprehensive security testing during software development lifecycle and highlights the importance of addressing sql injection vulnerabilities through both defensive programming techniques and proactive security monitoring approaches.