CVE-2008-0796 in Nuboard
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in threads.php in Nuboard 0.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the ssid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0796 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Nuboard 0.5 forum software, specifically affecting the threads.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user input through the ssid parameter, which serves as a session identifier or thread identifier within the application's functionality. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input in the ssid parameter that manipulates the underlying sql execution flow, potentially allowing full database access and arbitrary command execution. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration, which categorizes it as a fundamental flaw in data validation and query construction processes. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability enables remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it highly attractive to malicious actors seeking to compromise forum installations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes the ssid parameter without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql payloads that bypass normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The attack typically involves appending sql injection payloads to the ssid parameter value, which then gets directly embedded into sql statements executed by the database engine. This can result in data extraction, modification, or deletion of sensitive information stored within the application's database. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the absence of proper parameterized queries or prepared statements in the application's codebase. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications and T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation, as attackers can leverage the flaw to manipulate the application's data access layer. The weakness is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database interaction level, where successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the forum's backend systems and potentially enables further lateral movement within compromised networks. Organizations running Nuboard 0.5 are at risk of having their user data, forum content, and system configurations compromised, which can result in significant financial and reputational damage. The vulnerability affects not just the immediate forum functionality but can also serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks, including credential theft, data exfiltration, and establishment of persistent backdoors. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that do not maintain proper network segmentation or monitoring. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of broader application security assessments, particularly focusing on input validation, output encoding, and secure coding practices that prevent sql injection attacks. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security audits, patch management, and adherence to secure coding standards such as those recommended by owasp and the software engineering institute's secure coding practices. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect unusual sql query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that all web applications undergo thorough security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.