CVE-2008-1513 in Danneo
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in Danneo CMS 0.5.1 and earlier, when the Referers statistics option is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the HTTP Referer header.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-1513 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Danneo CMS version 0.5.1 and earlier systems. This weakness specifically manifests when the Referers statistics feature is activated, creating an attack vector that enables remote adversaries to manipulate the application's database through crafted http requests. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization of the HTTP Referer header, which is typically used by web browsers to indicate the address of the page that linked to the current resource. When this header is processed without adequate security measures, it becomes a conduit for malicious sql commands that can be executed within the context of the web application's database connection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the HTTP Referer header value, which is then directly incorporated into sql query construction within the index.php file of the cms. This practice violates fundamental security principles of input validation and demonstrates a classic sql injection pattern where user-controllable data is concatenated into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The Referers statistics option, designed to track and log incoming link sources, inadvertently creates a security gap when it fails to properly escape or validate the referer information before database insertion. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is used in sql commands without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database system. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, allowing attackers to extract sensitive information, modify or delete data, and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require local system access or physical proximity to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and the dangers of relying on default security configurations that may not adequately protect against common attack vectors.
Organizations running affected Danneo CMS versions should immediately implement mitigations including input validation for all http headers, parameterized database queries, and the application of security patches released by the vendor. The remediation approach should follow established security frameworks and best practices, including the implementation of web application firewalls to filter malicious referer headers and the enforcement of proper sql query parameterization techniques. This vulnerability highlights the critical need for comprehensive security testing and the application of defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sql injection attacks, which remain among the most prevalent and dangerous web application security threats. The incident underscores the importance of following security standards such as those defined by the open web application security project and implementing proper input validation mechanisms to prevent malicious data from being processed as executable code.