CVE-2007-2373 in WF-Links
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in viewcat.php in the WF-Links (wflinks) 1.03 and earlier module for XOOPS allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2024
The CVE-2007-2373 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the WF-Links module version 1.03 and earlier for the XOOPS content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the viewcat.php script which handles category viewing functionality within the module. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the cid parameter, which is used to specify category identifiers for display purposes. When attackers submit malicious input through this parameter, the application fails to properly escape or filter the data before incorporating it into SQL queries, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged for unauthorized database access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic SQL injection attack pattern where the cid parameter is manipulated to inject malicious SQL code into the underlying database query execution. This occurs because the application directly concatenates user-supplied input into SQL statements without proper parameterization or input sanitization mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform various malicious activities including data extraction, modification, or deletion from the database, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered remotely by any user with access to the affected module.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2373 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise and potential system takeover. An attacker could extract sensitive user credentials, personal information, or business data stored within the XOOPS system. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers might gain administrative access to the CMS, allowing them to modify content, install malicious code, or establish persistent backdoors. Given that this affects the WF-Links module which is commonly used for link management, the compromise could also impact website functionality and user experience. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication and can be executed through standard web browser interactions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected WF-Links module to version 1.04 or later where the SQL injection flaw has been addressed. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, including parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent similar issues in the future. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can create persistent security weaknesses. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communications and credential access through database exploitation, demonstrating the importance of proper application security controls in preventing such attacks.