CVE-2008-1644 in Savas Link Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in viewlinks.php in Sava s Link Manager 2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the category 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 • 11/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1644 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Sava s Link Manager 2.0 web application, specifically affecting the viewlinks.php script. This weakness resides in how the application processes user input through the category parameter, creating an exploitable condition that enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the backend database. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices, allowing attackers to manipulate the SQL query execution flow by submitting crafted malicious input through the category parameter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a common weakness in web applications where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization. The attack vector operates through HTTP requests targeting the viewlinks.php endpoint, where the category parameter is processed without adequate security controls. When an attacker submits malicious SQL payloads through this parameter, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into database queries, resulting in unauthorized command execution within the database context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potentially full database access and control capabilities. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive information, modify or delete database records, create new database users, or even escalate privileges within the application environment. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system or local network presence, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for web-hosted applications. Additionally, the vulnerability could serve as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure, especially if the database server has elevated privileges or if the application shares resources with other systems.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The recommended approach involves using prepared statements or parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, ensuring that user input is properly escaped or sanitized before being incorporated into database operations. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles for database connections can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. The application should also employ input validation mechanisms that reject or filter out suspicious characters and patterns commonly associated with SQL injection attempts. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities across their web applications, as this type of flaw frequently occurs in legacy systems where security practices were not adequately implemented during initial development phases. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and following established security frameworks such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for preventing injection vulnerabilities.