CVE-2007-4966 in GForge
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in www/people/editprofile.php in GForge 4.6b2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the skill_delete[] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4966 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the GForge collaboration platform version 4.6b2 and earlier. This issue resides in the www/people/editprofile.php script which processes user input through the skill_delete[] parameter, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization practices within the application's data handling mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that bypasses normal authentication and authorization controls.
This SQL injection vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly impacts the database backend of the GForge system. The skill_delete[] parameter serves as the attack vector where unfiltered user input gets concatenated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application processes the input directly into database commands, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of database records, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-89 SQL Injection weakness under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically representing an untrusted input handling issue that allows arbitrary code execution within the database context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract user credentials, personal information, project data, and system configurations stored within the GForge database. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web-based collaborative platforms. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, and can facilitate subsequent attacks such as privilege escalation, data manipulation, and persistent access through compromised user accounts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4966 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application, specifically ensuring that the skill_delete[] parameter undergoes rigorous sanitization before database processing. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, while also implementing proper output encoding to prevent reflected XSS attacks that could compound the vulnerability. Additionally, regular security audits, input validation frameworks, and database access controls should be implemented to reduce the attack surface and prevent similar issues in future development cycles. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in database interactions.