CVE-2008-0280 in MTCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in MTCMS 2.0 and possibly earlier versions allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) a or (2) cid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0280 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the MTCMS 2.0 content management system and potentially earlier versions. This vulnerability resides in the index.php script and affects two distinct parameters namely 'a' and 'cid' which are processed without adequate input validation or sanitization. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the application's database layer through these parameters, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure.
From a technical perspective this vulnerability manifests as improper input handling where user-supplied data enters the application's SQL execution pipeline without sufficient sanitization. The 'a' and 'cid' parameters likely serve as identifiers or action selectors within the CMS functionality, making them prime targets for exploitation. When these parameters are passed directly to SQL queries without proper parameterization or escaping, attackers can manipulate the intended query structure to execute unauthorized database operations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data retrieval compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data extraction, modification, or deletion. They may also gain elevated privileges within the database system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it allows for arbitrary SQL command execution, meaning attackers can perform any operation that the application's database user account permissions permit. This could include accessing sensitive user information, modifying content, or even executing system-level commands if the database server allows such operations.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1566 for credential access through exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. The remediation strategy must focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. Organizations should immediately patch affected MTCMS installations and implement proper input sanitization for all user-supplied parameters. Additionally, database access should be restricted to minimum required privileges, and application-level logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious SQL query patterns. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components and ensure proper adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.