CVE-2008-1298 in Hadith module
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Hadith module for PHP-Nuke allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cat parameter in a viewcat action to modules.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1298 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the hadith module of php-nuke content management system. This weakness exists in the way the application processes user input through the cat parameter during viewcat actions in modules.php, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the backend database. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the hadith module's parameter handling mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the cat parameter in the viewcat action to modules.php, bypassing normal input validation controls. This allows the attacker to append malicious sql payloads that get executed within the context of the database connection. The flaw specifically targets the hadith module's handling of category-based content viewing, where user-supplied category identifiers are directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities, and aligns with attack techniques documented in the attack tree framework under ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting sql injection vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides remote attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary database commands, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to retrieve confidential data, modify or delete database records, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects the entire php-nuke platform and its hadith module implementation, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited by anyone with access to the affected web application interface. This type of remote code execution capability through sql injection represents a fundamental security failure in input handling and database interaction patterns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the php-nuke codebase, specifically within the hadith module. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user inputs through proper escaping mechanisms and implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened to limit database access permissions and implement proper input filtering at multiple layers. The fix should include updating the hadith module to properly validate and sanitize the cat parameter before incorporating it into any database queries, ensuring that all user-supplied data is treated as potentially malicious until proven otherwise. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and regular security auditing to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of their php-nuke installations.