CVE-2008-1858 in 724CMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in 724Networks 724CMS 4.01 and earlier 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-2008-1858 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the 724CMS content management system version 4.01 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the index.php script and manifests through improper input validation of the ID parameter, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database. The flaw resides in the application's failure to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into sql query constructs, thereby enabling malicious actors to manipulate the intended database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's direct concatenation of user-provided ID parameter values into sql statements without adequate sanitization measures. When an attacker submits a malicious value through the ID parameter, the system processes this input without proper validation or escaping, allowing sql metacharacters and commands to be interpreted by the database engine. This creates a condition where attackers can inject additional sql commands that bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even gain elevated privileges within the database environment. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or prior access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with comprehensive database access capabilities that can compromise the entire system integrity. Successful exploitation allows attackers to perform unauthorized data manipulation including data insertion, deletion, and modification operations, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the cms system, as attackers can extract sensitive information such as user credentials, configuration data, and business-critical records. Additionally, the persistence of this vulnerability across multiple versions of the software indicates a fundamental flaw in the application's input handling mechanisms that requires comprehensive remediation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. The recommended approach involves adopting prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate sql command structure from data values, ensuring that user input is properly escaped or filtered before database processing. Organizations should also implement proper output encoding and input sanitization techniques, including the use of whitelisting validation for parameter values and implementing proper error handling that does not expose database structure information to users. The fix requires updating the affected 724CMS installations to versions that address this vulnerability, while also implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumeration cwE-89 and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation leads to severe security implications, making it a target for automated exploitation tools and malicious actors seeking to compromise web applications.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in web application development. The flaw exemplifies how simple oversight in handling user input can lead to catastrophic consequences, making it a prime target for exploitation by automated scanning tools and manual attackers. Organizations should implement comprehensive security testing including dynamic and static analysis to identify similar vulnerabilities in their applications, while also maintaining up-to-date security patches and monitoring for exploitation attempts. The long-standing nature of this vulnerability in multiple versions of the software highlights the need for continuous security assessment and remediation processes that address both known and emerging threats in the evolving cybersecurity landscape.