CVE-2008-0750 in BlackBoard
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in philboard_forum.asp in Husrev BlackBoard 2.0.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the forumid parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0750 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the philboard_forum.asp component of Husrev BlackBoard version 2.0.2. This issue manifests as a direct pathway for remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database through improper input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets the forumid parameter, which serves as the primary attack vector for executing malicious SQL commands against the affected system. The flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets processed by the application's database layer without adequate protection measures.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates under CWE-89 which categorizes it as a SQL injection weakness where the application fails to properly escape or validate input data before incorporating it into database queries. The attack occurs when an attacker submits a crafted forumid parameter value that contains SQL commands designed to manipulate or extract data from the database. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is classified as remote because attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web-based applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges and potentially gain full administrative control over the affected database system. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive user information, modification of forum content, data corruption, or even complete database takeover. The implications are severe for any organization relying on Husrev BlackBoard for their collaborative platform needs, as the vulnerability affects core functionality that handles user-generated content and forum management. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues and potential legal consequences if user data is compromised through such vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0750 should prioritize immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations must ensure that all user inputs are properly sanitized and validated before being processed by database systems. The recommended approach involves implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL code from data, effectively neutralizing the threat of SQL injection. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. System administrators should also implement proper access controls and database permissions to limit the potential damage from successful attacks, ensuring that database accounts used by the application have minimal required privileges. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks and standards including those referenced in the ATT&CK framework under database access and command execution techniques.