CVE-2008-0451 in PacerCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in PacerCMS 0.6 allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter to (1) siteadmin/article-edit.php; and unspecified parameters to (2) submitted-edit.php, (3) page-edit.php, (4) section-edit.php, (5) staff-edit.php, and (6) staff-access.php in siteadmin/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0451 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting PacerCMS version 0.6, specifically targeting the administrative backend components. This vulnerability exposes multiple entry points within the content management system's administrative interface where authenticated users can manipulate database queries through malicious input. The flaw manifests in several distinct files including siteadmin/article-edit.php where the id parameter can be exploited, along with multiple other administrative scripts that accept unspecified parameters, creating a broad attack surface for malicious actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization within the PacerCMS administrative modules. When authenticated users submit data containing malicious SQL payloads through the affected parameters, the application fails to properly escape or sanitize these inputs before incorporating them into database queries. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the web application's database user, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate, modify, or delete database contents, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, gain access to user credentials, modify content, or even establish persistent backdoors within the CMS infrastructure. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers would need valid credentials to the administrative interface, but once inside, they could cause significant damage to the organization's digital assets and reputation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected PacerCMS version to the latest available release that addresses these SQL injection flaws. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms and parameterized queries throughout their applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit administrative access to trusted users only. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a common attack pattern categorized under ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input validation practices should be implemented to prevent such issues from reoccurring in other components of the system.