CVE-2007-6622 in ZeusCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in security.php in ZeusCMS 0.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the Referer HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The CVE-2007-6622 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in ZeusCMS version 0.3 and earlier, specifically within the security.php script. This vulnerability exposes the content management system to remote code execution attacks through improper input validation of the http referer header. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands directly into the application's database layer, potentially compromising the entire system. The vulnerability's severity stems from the fact that it operates through a commonly transmitted http header that is automatically included in web requests, making it particularly difficult to detect and prevent without proper input sanitization measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the security.php script fails to properly sanitize or escape the referer header value before incorporating it into sql query constructions. This oversight creates an injection point where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as part of the sql command structure rather than as literal data. The referer header, which typically contains the url of the page that linked to the current page, becomes a conduit for malicious sql payloads when processed without adequate validation. Attackers can craft referer values containing sql injection sequences such as single quotes, semicolons, or sql comment characters that alter the intended query execution flow. This type of vulnerability maps directly to cwe-89 sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration, which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands as a fundamental security flaw.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-6622 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary sql commands on the database server, potentially gaining read access to sensitive information, modifying or deleting database content, and even escalating privileges to gain administrative control over the cms system. The remote nature of this attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system or knowledge of internal network structures. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using outdated zeuscms installations, as the flaw existed in versions prior to 0.3 and represents a legacy security issue that many organizations may have overlooked during security audits. The attack surface is amplified by the fact that most web applications automatically process referer headers without additional security considerations, making this an attractive target for automated scanning tools and script kiddies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6622 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and sanitization practices. Organizations should implement parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent sql injection regardless of input data, as this approach separates sql command structure from data values. The recommended solution involves filtering or escaping all http headers, including the referer header, before processing them within the application's security components. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious referer header patterns commonly associated with sql injection attacks. Additionally, organizations must prioritize upgrading to patched versions of zeuscms or migrating to more modern content management systems that have addressed such fundamental security flaws. The remediation process should include thorough code reviews to identify similar input validation issues in other components, as this vulnerability often indicates broader security gaps in legacy applications. According to the mitre att&ck framework, this vulnerability aligns with tactics such as command and control through the use of sql injection for data exfiltration and privilege escalation, making it a critical target for defensive measures. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar injection points in other legacy systems that may not have received security updates over time.