CVE-2008-1065 in Xm Memberstats
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.php in the XM-Memberstats (xmmemberstats) 2.0e module for XOOPS allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) letter or (2) sortby parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2017
The CVE-2008-1065 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the XM-Memberstats 2.0e module for the XOOPS content management platform. This vulnerability resides in the index.php script and affects multiple parameter inputs, specifically the letter and sortby parameters, creating a significant security risk for affected systems. The vulnerability's classification as a SQL injection issue places it squarely within CWE-89, which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by a database. The attack vector is remote, meaning that malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user input from the letter and sortby parameters is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This allows attackers to manipulate the database query structure by injecting malicious SQL code through these parameters. When the application processes these inputs, the injected code executes within the database context, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft, as it can provide attackers with complete database access, allowing them to escalate privileges and potentially compromise the entire application infrastructure. The lack of input validation and proper query preparation mechanisms in the affected module creates an environment where malicious SQL commands can be seamlessly integrated into the application's database operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-1065 is severe and multifaceted for organizations running vulnerable XOOPS installations with the XM-Memberstats module. Successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive user information, member data, and potentially system credentials. The vulnerability can be leveraged to perform unauthorized data manipulation, including data deletion, modification, or extraction of confidential information. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, data breach notifications, and potential legal consequences due to the exposure of sensitive information. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet, making it difficult to track and prevent. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning for membership-based systems where user data is stored, as it directly impacts the privacy and security of registered members. The attack can also be automated, allowing for mass exploitation across multiple vulnerable systems, amplifying the potential impact.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1065 should prioritize immediate remediation through official patches provided by the XOOPS development community or vendors. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks, ensuring that all user inputs are properly sanitized before being processed. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, limiting database user permissions to only those required for application functionality. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that no other vulnerabilities exist within the application stack. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attempts. Organizations should also consider migrating to more recent versions of XOOPS and the XM-Memberstats module, as older versions may contain additional undiscovered vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in application functionality while effectively addressing the SQL injection vulnerability.