CVE-2008-1163 in phpArcadeScript
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in phpArcadeScript 1.0 through 3.0 RC2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the userid parameter in a profile action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1163 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the phpArcadeScript content management system version 1.0 through 3.0 RC2. This security weakness resides in the index.php file and specifically affects the profile action functionality when processing the userid parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious sql commands through the userid input field, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. Such vulnerabilities fall under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization or validation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the phpArcadeScript application fails to properly validate or escape user input before incorporating it into database queries. When a user accesses a profile page with a maliciously crafted userid parameter, the application directly concatenates this input into sql statements without adequate protection mechanisms. This allows attackers to append additional sql commands that can manipulate database contents, extract sensitive information, or even execute administrative operations. The impact is particularly severe given that the vulnerability affects multiple versions of the phpArcadeScript platform, suggesting a widespread exposure across various installations. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, modify or delete database records, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations using phpArcadeScript versions 1.0 through 3.0 RC2, particularly those hosting gaming or entertainment portals where user profiles are frequently accessed. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this flaw from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication to the system. The potential damage includes complete database compromise, user data theft, and unauthorized modification of game scores or user profiles. According to the attack tactics framework, this vulnerability aligns with the initial access and privilege escalation categories where attackers first gain entry through the sql injection vector and then attempt to expand their control over the affected system. Organizations running vulnerable versions of phpArcadeScript face the risk of complete system compromise and data breaches that could result in regulatory penalties and loss of user trust.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1163 should focus on immediate patching of affected phpArcadeScript versions to the latest stable releases that contain proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. System administrators should implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks by separating sql code from user input. Additionally, input validation should be enforced at multiple layers including application-level filtering, web application firewalls, and database access controls. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application codebase. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to detect suspicious sql queries that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that patched versions maintain all existing functionality while eliminating the sql injection vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures can further reduce the impact of potential exploitation by limiting the attack surface and controlling database access permissions.