CVE-2008-0920 in Os-sim
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in port/modifyportform.php in Open Source Security Information Management (OSSIM) 0.9.9 rc5 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the portname parameter, which is not properly handled by a validation regular expression.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0920 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Open Source Security Information Management (OSSIM) platform version 0.9.9 rc5. This vulnerability specifically affects the port/modifyportform.php component, which serves as a user interface for managing network port configurations within the security information and event management system. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects authenticated users who can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database system. The vulnerability stems from a validation regular expression that inadequately handles the portname parameter, allowing malicious input to bypass security checks and directly influence database operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user submits a specially crafted portname parameter containing SQL payload content. The absence of proper input sanitization means that malicious SQL commands embedded within the portname field are directly passed to the database engine without adequate filtering or escaping. This creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the database structure, extract sensitive information, modify existing records, or even gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 as SQL injection, which represents a well-documented and dangerous class of vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise when exploited successfully. The attack vector is authenticated, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to the OSSIM system, but once authenticated, they can leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary database commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation as it can result in complete database compromise and potential system takeover. An attacker with access to the OSSIM platform could extract sensitive security information, modify network port configurations that could affect system monitoring capabilities, or even plant backdoors within the database. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the security information management system, potentially exposing the entire security infrastructure to further attacks. This flaw particularly impacts organizations relying on OSSIM for security monitoring, as it could allow attackers to manipulate the very system designed to detect and prevent security breaches. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to compliance requirements, as it could enable unauthorized access to security logs and monitoring data that organizations are required to protect.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve multiple layers of security controls that address both immediate remediation and long-term prevention. The primary recommendation is to apply the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to a version that properly implements input validation for the portname parameter. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization techniques including parameterized queries, input escaping, and comprehensive regular expression validation that properly handles all SQL metacharacters. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, ensuring that even if an attacker gains access to the OSSIM system, they cannot escalate privileges easily. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help detect anomalous SQL query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews, particularly focusing on input validation mechanisms and database interaction patterns, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's techniques for SQL injection and credential access. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts at the network perimeter.