CVE-2007-5059 in GreenSQL
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in GreenSQL allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via several vectors, as demonstrated by the (1) uname and (2) pass parameters in a login form, and (3) an unspecified "url value," leading to storage of XSS sequences in the database and display of these sequences in the alert section of the admin panel.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2022
The CVE-2007-5059 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in GreenSQL, a database security monitoring tool designed to protect against SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution through malicious script injection, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on the platform for database protection. The flaw specifically affects the application's handling of user input in multiple parameters, demonstrating poor input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to web application security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data in three distinct parameter vectors within the GreenSQL application. The first vector involves the uname parameter in the login form, while the second targets the pass parameter, both of which are processed without adequate validation mechanisms. The third vector operates on an unspecified "url value" that serves as an additional injection point. These parameters are processed in a manner that allows malicious input to be stored directly in the database without proper encoding or sanitization, creating a persistent XSS vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as the stored XSS sequences are displayed in the alert section of the admin panel, providing attackers with a persistent execution environment. This design flaw creates a dangerous attack surface where malicious scripts can be executed in the context of legitimate administrative sessions, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic case of insecure input handling that violates fundamental web security principles. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal administrative credentials, manipulate database content, or redirect users to malicious sites.
The persistence of this vulnerability in the database storage layer creates a particularly dangerous scenario where even if the initial injection point is patched, the stored malicious content continues to execute. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as the stored scripts can execute arbitrary commands within the victim's browser context. Organizations using GreenSQL are particularly vulnerable because the tool's purpose is to protect against database attacks, yet it contains vulnerabilities that could be exploited to bypass its own security mechanisms. The attack vector requires no special privileges, making it accessible to any remote attacker with basic web exploitation knowledge.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding across all user-supplied parameters, with specific focus on the identified vulnerable vectors. Organizations should implement proper sanitization routines that remove or encode potentially dangerous characters before storing data in the database. Additionally, the application should employ Content Security Policy headers and implement proper HTML escaping for all displayed content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and ISO/IEC 27001 security standards, particularly regarding input validation and output encoding requirements. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this flaw represents a systemic issue in the application's data handling architecture.