CVE-2008-1726 in KnowledgeQuest
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in KnowledgeQuest 2.6, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) kqid parameter to (a) articletext.php and (b) articletextonly.php and the (2) username parameter to (c) logincheck.php.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1726 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting KnowledgeQuest 2.6 web application when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within three distinct script files, creating multiple attack vectors for remote threat actors. The flaw specifically targets parameters that process user authentication and content retrieval operations, making it particularly dangerous for systems where unauthorized access could lead to complete database compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the KnowledgeQuest application's PHP scripts. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters in user input, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into database queries. The vulnerability affects three distinct endpoints: articletext.php and articletextonly.php both accept the kqid parameter, while logincheck.php processes the username parameter. These parameters are directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate database operations through crafted input sequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database server. This capability allows unauthorized users to perform read operations on sensitive data, modify database contents, add new user accounts, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise web applications. The specific parameter targets provide different attack surfaces, with kqid parameter exploitation potentially affecting content retrieval functionality and username parameter attacks targeting authentication mechanisms.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database. The attack pattern aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution vector through database manipulation places it in the high-risk category for enterprise environments, particularly when the application handles sensitive user data or business-critical information. Organizations utilizing KnowledgeQuest 2.6 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper database access controls to prevent exploitation.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of proper input sanitization techniques throughout the affected application components. The most effective mitigation involves enabling proper parameterized queries or prepared statements that separate SQL code from user input, eliminating the possibility of injection attacks. Additionally, implementing proper output encoding and input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture provides defense-in-depth protection. System administrators should also ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or that the application implements robust input filtering mechanisms regardless of PHP configuration settings. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on database interaction patterns can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components and prevent future incidents of this nature.