CVE-2008-1714 in FaPhoto
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in show.php in FaScript FaPhoto 1.0, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1714 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the FaScript FaPhoto 1.0 web application. This vulnerability specifically affects the show.php script which processes user input through the id parameter without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw manifests when the php configuration directive magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, removing the automatic escaping of special characters that would normally protect against sql injection attacks. This creates a dangerous condition where malicious actors can directly manipulate database queries by injecting crafted sql commands through the vulnerable parameter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling within the application's database interaction layer. When the id parameter is passed to show.php, the application constructs sql queries by directly concatenating user-supplied data without employing prepared statements or proper parameterized queries. This primitive approach to database interaction allows attackers to inject malicious sql syntax that alters the intended query execution flow. The vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or manipulation. An attacker with successful exploitation can achieve complete database compromise, potentially gaining access to sensitive user information, authentication credentials, or other confidential data stored within the application's backend. The vulnerability enables unauthorized database access through the web application interface, allowing for data exfiltration, modification of existing records, or even the creation of new database entries. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it operates at the application layer where attackers can leverage the web server's database privileges to execute commands that might otherwise be restricted.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most direct fix involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in database queries. Applications should employ prepared statements or parameterized queries to separate sql command structure from data values, effectively neutralizing injection attacks. Additionally, the application should implement proper error handling that does not expose database structure information to end users. Security measures should also include disabling magic_quotes_gpc if possible, though this should not be relied upon as the sole protection mechanism. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments and implement web application firewalls to detect and prevent injection attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in database access controls. The flaw also highlights the necessity of proper security configuration management and the dangers of relying on deprecated or insufficient protection mechanisms. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where attackers target web applications to gain unauthorized access to backend systems. The vulnerability serves as a classic example of why comprehensive security testing and code review practices are essential components of software development lifecycle security protocols.