CVE-2007-3128 in WebSphere Portal
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in content.php in WSPortal 1.0, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3128 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the WSPortal 1.0 content management system. This vulnerability specifically targets the content.php script and exploits a fundamental weakness in input validation when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled. The flaw occurs because the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query constructs, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database operations. The vulnerability affects systems where the magic_quotes_gpc setting has been explicitly disabled, which is a common configuration in modern PHP environments where this deprecated feature is often turned off for better performance and security control.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the page parameter within the content.php script, which serves as the primary attack vector for SQL injection attempts. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, PHP does not automatically escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data, leaving the application vulnerable to malicious input that can be directly interpreted as SQL commands. Attackers can craft specially formatted input that, when processed by the vulnerable script, gets concatenated directly into SQL queries without proper sanitization, allowing them to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise, unauthorized data modification, and potential lateral movement within affected networks. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information, modify database records, create new user accounts, or even execute system commands if the database user has appropriate privileges. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure application development. Organizations running WSPortal 1.0 with magic_quotes_gpc disabled face significant risk of data breaches and system compromise, particularly when the application is exposed to untrusted network traffic. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the affected web application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3128 should focus on implementing proper input validation, output encoding, and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of WSPortal 1.0 or implementing proper input sanitization measures that validate and escape all user-supplied data before database processing. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the use of prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection. Additionally, system administrators should ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or that applications implement robust input validation mechanisms, as the disabling of this feature without proper compensating controls creates dangerous security exposures. The remediation process should include comprehensive security testing and code review to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components that may be susceptible to the same class of attack.