CVE-2007-5189 in GuestBook
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in mes_add.php in x-script GuestBook 1.3a, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) name, (2) email, (3) icq, and (4) website parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5189 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in the x-script GuestBook 1.3a application's mes_add.php component. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate the application's database operations through carefully crafted input parameters. The flaw affects four distinct input fields including name, email, icq, and website parameters, making it particularly dangerous as it provides multiple attack vectors within the same vulnerable component.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or escape user input before incorporating it into SQL database queries. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, PHP does not automatically escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data, leaving the application susceptible to malicious input that can alter the intended SQL command structure. Attackers can craft input strings containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, semicolons, and comment markers that bypass normal input validation mechanisms and inject arbitrary SQL commands directly into the database execution context.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to data extraction, modification, or deletion from the underlying database. The attacker could potentially retrieve sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or administrative access details stored within the guestbook database. Additionally, the vulnerability could facilitate data manipulation attacks where attackers modify existing records or insert malicious entries into the guestbook, potentially leading to further system compromise or reputational damage.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. This classification indicates that the flaw represents a fundamental design issue in input handling where user-supplied data is not properly validated or escaped before database interaction. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1046 which involves network service scanning to identify vulnerable applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects a common web application component that may be deployed in numerous environments without proper security hardening.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate application-level fixes including implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection. The most effective immediate solution involves enabling magic_quotes_gpc or implementing comprehensive input sanitization routines that escape or filter dangerous characters from user input. Additionally, developers should adopt prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from data, ensuring that user input is never directly interpreted as executable SQL code. Long-term security improvements should include regular security assessments, input validation frameworks, and adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.