CVE-2007-2902 in Dokeos
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in main/auth/my_progress.php in Dokeos 1.8.0 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the course parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2024
The CVE-2007-2902 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Dokeos learning management system version 1.8.0 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the main/auth/my_progress.php script and affects authenticated users who can manipulate the course parameter to execute malicious sql commands. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning that any legitimate user with valid credentials can potentially gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which classifies sql injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper escaping or parameterization. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even escalate privileges within the system. The operational impact extends beyond simple data theft as this vulnerability could enable attackers to compromise the entire learning management system infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user submits a malicious value through the course parameter in the my_progress.php script. The application fails to properly sanitize this input before using it in sql queries, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql code that gets executed by the database server. This type of attack follows the typical sql injection methodology where attackers manipulate the query structure to bypass authentication, extract data, or modify system behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1046 which involves network service scanning. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that this is a server-side vulnerability that can be exploited remotely without requiring special privileges beyond legitimate user authentication. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Dokeos system as attackers can potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive educational data, modify course content, or disrupt system operations.
Organizations using Dokeos version 1.8.0 or earlier must immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of Dokeos that properly implements input validation and sql query parameterization. Until an upgrade is possible, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block sql injection attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple levels including application code, database layer, and network perimeter. The implementation of prepared statements and parameterized queries should become mandatory for all database interactions within the application. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual sql query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, access controls should be reviewed to ensure that users have the minimum necessary privileges to perform their functions, following the principle of least privilege. System administrators should also implement regular security audits and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the learning management system. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security development practices throughout the software development lifecycle. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.