CVE-2007-4054 in Top Sites
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in category.php in PHP123 Top Sites allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cat parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4054 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the php123 top sites web application, specifically affecting the category.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the cat parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database queries, potentially compromising the entire backend database infrastructure. Such vulnerabilities fall under the broader category of cwe-89 sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration, which catalogs the fundamental security weaknesses present in software systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution within the database context, providing adversaries with extensive capabilities to manipulate, extract, or destroy sensitive information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker supplies malicious input through the cat parameter in the category.php script. The application fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into sql queries, creating a direct path for sql injection attacks. This flaw enables attackers to manipulate database queries through concatenation of malicious sql fragments, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution vector because the sql injection can be leveraged to execute commands on the underlying database server. This type of attack pattern aligns with the tactics described in the attack technique framework under the mitre att&ck matrix as part of the credential access and execution phases, where adversaries seek to gain unauthorized access to system resources through database manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4054 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can result in complete system compromise and data loss. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive user information, modify database content, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. The php123 top sites application, being a web-based directory system, likely stores user credentials, site information, and potentially personal data, making the database a prime target for exploitation. This vulnerability also enables attackers to perform data integrity attacks such as updating or deleting critical entries in the database, potentially disrupting the functionality of the entire web application. The long-term consequences include potential regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, and financial losses due to data breaches. Organizations running this vulnerable software face significant risk of unauthorized access and data manipulation, with the potential for cascading effects throughout connected systems that rely on the compromised database infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The most effective approach involves implementing parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user input cannot be interpreted as sql code. Additionally, input validation should be enforced at multiple layers including application-level filtering and database-level access controls. The implementation of proper web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional protection against sql injection attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for database accounts, ensuring that applications only have access to necessary database functions and data. Regular security assessments and code reviews are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application codebase, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input handling in web applications. The remediation process should include immediate patching of the vulnerable software, followed by comprehensive security testing to ensure no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application infrastructure.