CVE-2008-0651 in Pedro Santana Codice
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in login.php in Pedro Santana Codice CMS allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the username field. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2025
This vulnerability represents a classic sql injection flaw in the authentication mechanism of codice cms software. The issue specifically affects the login.php script where user input from the username field is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into sql queries. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameterization practices within the application's database interaction layer. According to the cwe taxonomy, this corresponds to cwe-89 which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, making it a direct descendant of the well-known sql injection category.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate the sql query execution by injecting malicious sql code through the username parameter. When an attacker submits specially crafted input containing sql metacharacters and commands, the application processes this input without proper sanitization, leading to unauthorized sql command execution. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data from the database, modify or delete records, and potentially gain full administrative control over the affected system. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it targets the login functionality which is frequently accessed and often has elevated privileges associated with it.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it compromises the fundamental security of the content management system. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, extract confidential information such as usernames, passwords, and other personal data stored in the database, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire cms platform, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. Given that this affects the login functionality, it provides attackers with a direct pathway to establish persistent access and conduct further malicious activities within the network environment.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. The recommended approach involves adopting prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is properly escaped and treated as literal values rather than executable code. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization routines, restricting database user privileges, and employing web application firewalls can provide defense in depth. According to mitre att&ck framework, this vulnerability would be classified under initial access and credential access techniques, specifically targeting the credential access tactic with the credential dumping sub-technique. Regular security audits, code reviews focusing on database interactions, and implementing proper output encoding practices are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.