CVE-2008-0507 in AdServe
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in adclick.php in the AdServe 0.2 plugin for WordPress allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0507 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the AdServe 0.2 WordPress plugin, specifically affecting the adclick.php component. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization practices within the plugin's codebase, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through the id parameter. The vulnerability exists in the context of content management systems where plugins extend core functionality, and the lack of proper security controls in third-party components can compromise entire WordPress installations. The flaw demonstrates a classic weakness in web application security where user-supplied data directly influences database operations without adequate filtering mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize or escape the id parameter before incorporating it into SQL query construction. When an attacker submits a malicious value through the id parameter, the application processes this input directly within the database query without appropriate validation or encoding. This allows for the injection of additional SQL commands that can manipulate the database structure, extract sensitive information, modify or delete data, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. The vulnerability specifically targets the adclick.php file which likely handles click tracking for advertisements, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to manipulate advertising metrics or access backend database information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database server. This can result in complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or administrative access tokens stored within the WordPress database. The consequence of such an attack can include unauthorized content modification, complete system compromise, and potential regulatory violations due to data breaches. Organizations running vulnerable WordPress installations are particularly at risk as this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring authentication or specialized tools beyond basic web application exploitation techniques.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected AdServe plugin to version 0.3 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and sanitization fixes. Additionally, implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements in the affected code would prevent the injection of malicious SQL commands. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and block suspicious SQL injection attempts. Organizations should also implement proper input validation at multiple layers including application-level filtering, database-level access controls, and regular security auditing of third-party plugins. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications. Regular monitoring of plugin repositories and implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools can help prevent similar issues from affecting WordPress installations in the future.