CVE-2007-6544 in RunCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in RunCMS before 1.6.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the lid parameter to (1) brokenfile.php, (2) visit.php, or (3) ratefile.php in modules/mydownloads/; or (4) ratelink.php, (5) modlink.php, or (6) brokenlink.php in modules/mylinks/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6544 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting RunCMS versions prior to 1.6.1. This vulnerability resides within the mydownloads and mylinks modules of the content management system, specifically targeting parameters that handle user input without proper sanitization or validation. The affected files include brokenfile.php, visit.php, ratefile.php, ratelink.php, modlink.php, and brokenlink.php, all of which process the lid parameter in ways that expose the system to malicious SQL command execution. Such vulnerabilities fall under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can exploit these flaws from external networks without needing privileged access to the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied data from the lid parameter is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper input validation or parameterized query construction. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that can manipulate the database operations, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers could gain administrative privileges, escalate their access level, or even compromise the entire underlying database server. The vulnerability affects the core database interaction mechanisms within the CMS, making it a fundamental security flaw that undermines the integrity of the entire system architecture. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in software to gain unauthorized access to systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-6544 is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations that rely on RunCMS for their web presence. Database compromise could result in complete data loss, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential system takeover. The vulnerability affects the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms, creating opportunities for privilege escalation attacks that could allow malicious actors to gain administrative control over the CMS. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The remote exploitability means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the internet, without requiring physical access or insider knowledge. This vulnerability also represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to catastrophic security failures, as the flaw exists in core application logic rather than being a peripheral security issue.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6544 require immediate action to upgrade to RunCMS version 1.6.1 or later, which contains the necessary security patches addressing these SQL injection vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before database interaction. The deployment of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this flaw demonstrates the importance of proper input handling in database operations. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed without introducing new issues. Additionally, organizations should establish incident response procedures that account for SQL injection attacks, as these vulnerabilities often require immediate attention to prevent data compromise. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping CMS platforms updated and following secure coding practices to prevent injection attacks that could compromise entire web applications.