CVE-2008-0827 in Book
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Books module of PHP-Nuke allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0827 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Books module of PHP-Nuke, a widely deployed content management system and web application framework. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of user input through the cid parameter, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The Books module in PHP-Nuke serves as a repository for storing and displaying book-related content, making it a target for attackers seeking to exploit database vulnerabilities within the application's architecture. The flaw resides in the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate input parameters before incorporating them into SQL query constructs, thereby allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the database user.
This SQL injection vulnerability operates through a classic parameter manipulation attack vector where the cid parameter, typically used to identify specific book categories or entries, becomes the focal point for malicious input injection. When an attacker submits crafted SQL commands through this parameter, the application processes these inputs without adequate validation, leading to unauthorized execution of database operations. The vulnerability's classification as CWE-89 indicates it falls under the category of SQL injection attacks, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to manipulate the intended behavior of database queries. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PHP-Nuke was historically used by numerous websites and organizations, amplifying the potential impact of such vulnerabilities across multiple systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0827 extends beyond simple data retrieval, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to perform full database compromise operations including data modification, deletion, or unauthorized access to sensitive user information. Attackers could potentially escalate privileges within the database environment, extract confidential records, or even gain shell access to the underlying system through database-level command execution. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers need not have physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications exposed to public networks. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the threat landscape where publicly accessible web applications become targets for database-level attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameter sanitization measures within the PHP-Nuke application codebase. The most effective approach involves adopting prepared statements or parameterized queries to separate SQL command structure from user input data, thereby preventing malicious code injection. Additionally, implementing proper input filtering and sanitization routines for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in database queries, will significantly reduce the attack surface. Security patches should be applied immediately to update the Books module and ensure that all input parameters undergo proper validation before database processing. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems.