CVE-2007-2749 in FAQEngine
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in question.php in FAQEngine 4.16.03 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the questionref parameter in a display action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2749 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the FAQEngine application version 4.16.03 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the question.php script where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into sql query constructions. The specific parameter affected is questionref which is processed during a display action, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the backend database system. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization practices and improper parameter handling within the application's sql query execution logic.
This vulnerability operates under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a severe security flaw where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql commands without proper escaping or parameterization. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable application. When an attacker manipulates the questionref parameter, they can potentially execute unauthorized sql commands that may grant them access to sensitive data, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the database system. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can enable full database compromise and potentially lead to system-wide exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and directly manipulate the underlying database. Successful exploitation could result in data leakage, data corruption, unauthorized access to administrative functions, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 4.16.03, indicating a long-standing issue that was not properly addressed in the application's security architecture. Organizations using FAQEngine versions prior to 4.16.04 or later are at risk of unauthorized access to their frequently asked questions databases, which may contain sensitive information about products, services, or customer interactions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2749 should focus on immediate patching of the affected FAQEngine versions to the latest secure releases. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks, following the principle of least privilege for database accounts and implementing proper access controls. The application should employ prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is never directly executed as sql commands. Additionally, regular security assessments, web application firewalls, and input sanitization measures should be deployed to protect against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect unusual sql query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the attack framework where adversaries leverage sql injection to gain unauthorized access to database systems and extract sensitive information from web applications.