CVE-2008-1791 in Mygamingladder
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in ladder.php in My Gaming Ladder 7.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the ladderid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1791 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the My Gaming Ladder web application version 7.5 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the ladder.php script which processes user input through the ladderid parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the application's codebase, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that bypasses normal authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection conditions where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper escaping or parameterization. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input strings that contain SQL syntax within the ladderid parameter, enabling them to execute unauthorized database queries. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when developers concatenate user-supplied data directly into SQL statements rather than using prepared statements or parameterized queries. The attack vector is remote and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged from any network location.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or manipulation to encompass complete database compromise and potential system infiltration. Successful exploitation allows attackers to perform unauthorized read operations on sensitive user data including account credentials, personal information, and gaming statistics. Additionally, attackers can execute write operations to modify or delete database records, potentially corrupting the entire gaming ladder system. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where malicious actors can gain administrative access to the database, leading to complete system compromise. This type of attack can result in service disruption, data loss, and reputational damage for organizations relying on the affected gaming platform.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques, specifically using parameterized queries or prepared statements to separate SQL code from user data. Organizations should also implement proper output encoding to prevent malicious payloads from being executed in database contexts. The application should enforce strict input validation on the ladderid parameter, rejecting any input containing SQL keywords or special characters. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database user permissions can limit the damage from successful attacks. Security measures should include regular code reviews, automated vulnerability scanning, and adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and provide additional layers of defense against similar vulnerabilities.