CVE-2008-0279 in Xforum
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in liretopic.php in Xforum 1.4 and possibly others allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the topic parameter. NOTE: the categorie parameter might also be affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0279 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Xforum 1.4 bulletin board system that exposes remote attackers to potential command execution capabilities. This vulnerability specifically targets the liretopic.php script which processes user input without proper sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through carefully crafted input parameters. The primary attack vector involves the topic parameter, though security researchers have noted that the categorie parameter may exhibit similar vulnerabilities, suggesting a broader impact across the application's input handling mechanisms.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-89, which classifies SQL injection vulnerabilities as weaknesses that occur when application code embeds untrusted input into SQL queries without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. When an attacker submits malicious input through the topic parameter, the application fails to properly filter or escape special SQL characters, allowing the injected code to be executed within the database context. This fundamental failure in input validation creates a pathway for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even execute operating system commands depending on the database backend and privilege levels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to fully compromise the underlying database system. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform unauthorized database operations including data exfiltration, data manipulation, and potentially gain deeper access to the hosting environment. The affected Xforum 1.4 application represents a common target for automated scanning tools that specifically look for SQL injection vulnerabilities, making it particularly susceptible to exploitation by both skilled attackers and less sophisticated threat actors. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions suggests a systemic issue in the application's architecture rather than a simple coding error.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent malicious SQL code from being executed. The recommended approach involves adopting prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from data input, effectively neutralizing the injection threat. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization techniques, including the use of whitelisting for parameter values, can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege when designing database interactions within web applications, as outlined in various security frameworks including the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities that may exist in legacy applications.