CVE-2008-0685 in iTechClassifieds
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in ViewCat.php in iTechClassifieds 3.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the CatID parameter.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0685 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the iTechClassifieds 3.0 web application, specifically affecting the ViewCat.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the CatID parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries by injecting malicious sql code through the targeted parameter, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper escaping or parameterization. The technical implementation flaw occurs when the application directly concatenates user input from the CatID parameter into sql query strings without employing prepared statements or proper input validation techniques. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input that alters the intended sql execution flow, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, modifying database records, or even executing administrative commands on the database server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform comprehensive database reconnaissance and manipulation. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to extract confidential information including user credentials, personal data, and business-sensitive records stored within the classifieds platform. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that malicious actors do not require physical access to the system or network privileges to execute attacks, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications. Additionally, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise through database-level privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized query mechanisms within the affected application. Organizations should implement proper sanitization of all user inputs, particularly those used in database operations, and transition from dynamic sql query construction to prepared statements or stored procedures. The fix should include comprehensive input validation that rejects or escapes special sql characters and implements proper error handling that does not expose database structure information to end users. Security measures should also include network-level protections such as web application firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security scanning to identify similar vulnerabilities across the application stack. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, where attackers may use the compromised system as a pivot point for further network exploration and attacks.