CVE-2007-3684 in Unobtrusive Ajax Star Rating Bar
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Unobtrusive Ajax Star Rating Bar before 1.2.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) q and (2) t parameters in (a) db.php and (b) rpc.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3684 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting the Unobtrusive Ajax Star Rating Bar plugin version 1.2.0 and earlier. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the plugin's database interaction components, specifically in the db.php and rpc.php files. The vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution attacks where malicious actors can manipulate database queries through carefully crafted parameters, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of two specific parameters: q and t. These parameters are processed within the db.php and rpc.php scripts respectively, where user input is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that alters the intended query execution flow. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses, where improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands enables attackers to execute unauthorized database operations. The attack vector operates through web-based interfaces where the parameters are accepted as part of standard HTTP request parameters, making exploitation accessible to remote attackers with minimal technical expertise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential denial of service conditions. Attackers can leverage these SQL injection points to extract sensitive information from the database including user credentials, personal data, and system configurations. The vulnerability also permits unauthorized modification of database content, which could result in data corruption or manipulation of the rating system itself. Additionally, successful exploitation may enable attackers to escalate privileges within the database environment, potentially leading to further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The distributed nature of the vulnerability across multiple entry points in the plugin architecture increases the attack surface and makes comprehensive protection more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Unobtrusive Ajax Star Rating Bar plugin to version 1.2.0 or later, where the SQL injection flaws have been addressed through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. System administrators should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures including the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious SQL injection patterns targeting these specific parameter names. The remediation process must include thorough testing of the patched environment to ensure that functionality remains intact while eliminating the security exposure. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts through anomalous database query patterns and unusual parameter usage patterns that may indicate ongoing attack activities. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies as recommended by the ATT&CK framework for preventing and mitigating database-related attack vectors.