CVE-2007-2018 in Video Share Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in msg.php in AlstraSoft Video Share Enterprise allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2018 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the AlstraSoft Video Share Enterprise application, specifically affecting the msg.php component. This vulnerability exists in the handling of user input through the id parameter, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The flaw is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker who has already obtained valid credentials can exploit this vulnerability to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database system. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category of cwe-89 sql injection, which is classified as a high-severity weakness in the owasp top ten application security risks. The attack vector is classified as remote since the exploitation can occur over network connections without requiring physical access to the system, and the authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that the attack can be executed by legitimate users who have already established valid sessions with the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the msg.php script. When the application processes the id parameter passed through user requests, it directly incorporates this input into sql query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization mechanisms. This allows an attacker to inject malicious sql code that gets executed by the database engine, potentially leading to data theft, data manipulation, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability specifically targets the id parameter, which suggests that the application uses this identifier to fetch messages or records from a database, and the lack of proper input validation creates a direct pathway for sql command injection attacks. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that manipulate the intended sql query structure, potentially extracting sensitive data such as user credentials, personal information, or administrative access details from the database. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture where input handling does not follow secure coding practices recommended by industry standards including the owasp secure coding practices and the cwe top 25 most dangerous software weaknesses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to the underlying database infrastructure. An authenticated attacker can leverage this vulnerability to perform data manipulation operations such as updating or deleting records, potentially corrupting the application's data integrity. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers might gain administrative access to the application, allowing them to modify application functionality, add new users, or access restricted areas of the system. In enterprise environments where the application handles sensitive user data, this vulnerability could result in significant data breaches with potential regulatory compliance violations and financial consequences. The attack could also facilitate lateral movement within the network if the database server has access to other systems or if the database contains information that can be used to compromise additional targets. This vulnerability directly maps to several tactics and techniques defined in the mitre att&ck framework, particularly those related to credential access and privilege escalation, and represents a common attack pattern that has been documented in numerous security incidents over the years. Organizations using this vulnerable software are at risk of experiencing unauthorized access to their video sharing platform data, potentially leading to intellectual property theft, user privacy violations, and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. The most effective immediate solution involves updating the msg.php script to use prepared statements or parameterized queries when processing the id parameter, ensuring that user input is properly sanitized before being incorporated into sql commands. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks, including regular monitoring of user activities and implementing account lockout mechanisms for suspicious behavior. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The implementation of web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against sql injection attempts. Additionally, organizations should maintain up-to-date vulnerability assessments and ensure that all software components are regularly patched and updated to address known security flaws. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle, particularly focusing on data validation and input sanitization techniques that align with industry best practices and standards including the owasp top ten and cwe guidelines.