CVE-2007-5151 in nukesentinel
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the abget_admin function in includes/nukesentinel.php in NukeSentinel 2.5.12 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via base64-encoded data in an admin cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5151 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the NukeSentinel security module version 2.5.12. This vulnerability specifically targets the abget_admin function located in the includes/nukesentinel.php file, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious SQL commands. The attack vector exploits base64-encoded data contained within an admin cookie, which is then processed without proper sanitization or validation, allowing attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input.
This security weakness falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper escaping or parameterization. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing SQL injection attacks. The exploitation mechanism relies on the improper handling of user-supplied data within the administrative cookie, which is then decoded and directly incorporated into database queries without adequate security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it grants remote attackers unauthorized access to the underlying database system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, modification of sensitive information, or even privilege escalation within the application. The base64 encoding used in the attack vector suggests a level of obfuscation that could potentially bypass basic security monitoring systems, making detection more challenging. This vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor for attackers to manipulate the application's database layer directly, undermining the integrity and confidentiality of the entire system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The primary fix involves ensuring that all data extracted from cookies and other user-supplied inputs undergoes rigorous validation and sanitization before being incorporated into SQL queries. Implementing parameterized queries or prepared statements would effectively prevent SQL injection attacks by separating SQL code from data. Additionally, the application should employ proper output encoding techniques and implement strict access controls for administrative functions. The security architecture should include input filtering at multiple layers, including cookie validation and sanitization, to prevent malicious data from reaching database execution points. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious cookie patterns and SQL injection attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and code reviews to identify similar injection flaws in legacy systems, aligning with the ATT&CK framework's techniques for command and control through database manipulation and credential access through administrative compromise.