CVE-2007-3521 in Game Portal Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in ArcadeBuilder Game Portal Manager 1.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a usercookie cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2024
The CVE-2007-3521 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in ArcadeBuilder Game Portal Manager version 1.7, a web-based gaming portal management system that was widely used in the mid-2000s. This vulnerability specifically targets the application's handling of usercookie cookie parameters, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database through maliciously crafted sql commands. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's authentication and session management mechanisms, where user-provided cookie data is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper escaping or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the usercookie cookie value to inject malicious sql payloads that can be executed against the backend database. This type of injection vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, deletion, and potentially administrative actions within the database system. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication to initiate, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited from any location with network access to the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information stored within the gaming portal's database. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract user credentials, personal information, game scores, and potentially gain administrative privileges within the application. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate game content, disrupt service availability, and establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. According to the attack technique framework, this represents a T1071.004 network protocol abuse technique where attackers exploit application-level protocols to gain unauthorized access to backend systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all user-provided data, particularly cookie values and session identifiers. The recommended approach involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user input cannot alter the intended sql command structure. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against similar injection attacks. Security professionals should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential sql injection points within the application and related systems, as this vulnerability often indicates broader architectural weaknesses in input handling and data validation processes. The remediation process should include updating to patched versions of ArcadeBuilder Game Portal Manager and implementing proper security coding practices to prevent future occurrences of similar vulnerabilities.