CVE-2007-6540 in news
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in neuron news 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the q parameter to the default URI in patch/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6540 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the neuron news 1.0 content management system. This vulnerability exists in the patch/ directory of the application and specifically affects the handling of the q parameter in the default URI. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database layer through a carefully crafted input parameter. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating an avenue for unauthorized database access and manipulation. Attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database server, potentially gaining full control over the database contents and associated application data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common sql injection attack patterns and maps directly to CWE-89 which defines improper neutralization of special elements used in an sql command. The vulnerability occurs because the application directly incorporates user input from the q parameter into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This primitive approach to database interaction creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the sql execution flow. The patch/ directory context suggests this is part of an update or patching mechanism within the news system, making it a particularly attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise the application's core functionality. The default URI configuration indicates that the vulnerability is accessible through standard application paths without requiring specific knowledge of hidden or less obvious endpoints.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, encompassing complete system compromise and potential data destruction. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, database schemas, and application configurations. The ability to execute arbitrary sql commands means attackers can modify existing data, insert malicious records, or even delete entire database tables. In a production environment, this vulnerability could lead to complete service disruption, data breaches, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability affects the fundamental integrity of the news system's data layer, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate published content, gain unauthorized administrative access, or establish persistent backdoors within the application infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6540 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent user input from being interpreted as sql code. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block sql injection attempts, while also implementing proper output encoding to prevent reflected sql injection attacks. Regular security testing including automated sql injection scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping applications updated, as this specific version of neuron news 1.0 appears to contain known security flaws that have since been addressed in newer releases. Security teams should implement database access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized sql command execution, while also establishing proper incident response procedures to handle potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege for database accounts and regular security audits can significantly reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Proxy Process, as attackers may use the sql injection to establish persistent access, and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, if attackers attempt to exfiltrate data through dns tunneling methods.