CVE-2008-0157 in FlexBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in FlexBB 0.6.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the flexbb_temp_id parameter in a cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0157 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within FlexBB version 0.6.3 and earlier implementations. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input through the flexbb_temp_id parameter embedded within HTTP cookies. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL code through crafted cookie values, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data and system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the web application fails to properly sanitize or validate the flexbb_temp_id cookie parameter before incorporating it into SQL database queries. This lack of input validation creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can directly influence the structure of database commands. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication and session management components of FlexBB, as the cookie parameter is typically used to track temporary user sessions or store identification information. When the application processes this unvalidated input, it executes the injected SQL commands with the privileges of the database user account, potentially allowing full database access and manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform extensive database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to bypass authentication mechanisms, escalate privileges, or even gain shell access to the underlying database server. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent user-supplied data from influencing database command structure. Organizations should immediately upgrade to FlexBB versions that have addressed this vulnerability, as the affected versions are no longer supported with security patches. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization mechanisms can provide additional protection layers. The remediation process should include thorough code review to ensure all cookie parameters and user inputs are properly validated before database interaction, following secure coding practices that prevent injection attacks through proper parameterization of database queries.