CVE-2008-0821 in PHPLive
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in admin/traffic/knowledge_searchm.php in OSI Codes Inc. PHP Live! 3.2.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the questid parameter in an expand_question action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0821 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHP Live! 3.2.2 application developed by OSI Codes Inc. This security weakness exists in the administrative traffic knowledge search module, specifically in the knowledge_searchm.php file. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes the questid parameter during an expand_question action, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations.
This SQL injection vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The flaw occurs due to inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the questid parameter. When an attacker submits malicious SQL code through this parameter, the application fails to properly escape or filter the input before incorporating it into database queries, allowing unauthorized execution of arbitrary SQL commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the application's database, potentially leading to data theft, data manipulation, or complete system compromise. Attackers may extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and system configurations. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where malicious actors could elevate their access levels within the application. Additionally, the compromise of the database could result in service disruption, data corruption, or the installation of backdoors for persistent access.
From an attack methodology perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services. The attack vector requires minimal prerequisites as it operates over network protocols and can be executed remotely without requiring physical access to the system. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious SQL payloads that manipulate the questid parameter to inject unauthorized commands, potentially leveraging tools such as sqlmap or manual testing techniques to achieve successful exploitation.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability encompass multiple defensive layers. Primary protection involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to ensure that user input cannot alter the intended SQL command structure. The application should employ prepared statements or stored procedures that separate SQL code from data, eliminating the possibility of SQL injection through user-supplied parameters. Additionally, input sanitization measures should be implemented to filter or escape special characters that could be used in injection attacks. Network-level protections including firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious traffic patterns associated with SQL injection attempts. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to address known vulnerabilities, while comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components. Access controls should be implemented to limit administrative functionality exposure and reduce the attack surface available to potential adversaries.