CVE-2008-1872 in Comdev News Publisher
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in home.news.php in Comdev News Publisher 4.1.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the arcmonth parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1872 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Comdev News Publisher 4.1.2 web application, specifically affecting the home.news.php script. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the application's parameter handling mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through the arcmonth parameter, which is typically used to filter news articles by month. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper data sanitization that has been documented in numerous security frameworks and standards including CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities. The vulnerability exists because the application directly incorporates user-supplied input into SQL query construction without proper escaping or parameterization techniques, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the arcmonth parameter in the home.news.php script. This parameter is processed without adequate validation or sanitization, allowing attackers to inject SQL syntax that gets executed within the database context. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution capabilities, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the application's database environment. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 for exploit for execution, demonstrating how a single input parameter can serve as a gateway for broader system compromise. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly attractive to attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to the system's data resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate data compromise to encompass potential system-wide security degradation. Organizations using Comdev News Publisher 4.1.2 are exposed to significant risks including unauthorized data access, data corruption, and potential service disruption. The vulnerability could enable attackers to extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or business-critical information stored within the application's database. Additionally, the compromised system may serve as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure, as the attacker could potentially use the database access to pivot to other systems or escalate privileges. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and the principles of least privilege in database access control, as the flaw allows for arbitrary SQL command execution rather than restricted operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1872 should prioritize immediate remediation through input validation and parameterized query implementation. Organizations must implement proper input sanitization techniques to prevent malicious SQL code from being executed within the application context, utilizing prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is properly escaped and treated as data rather than executable code. The solution should incorporate robust input validation that rejects or sanitizes any input containing SQL metacharacters or patterns, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database privilege management can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, ensuring that database accounts used by the application have minimal required permissions. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious parameter values and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the need for regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues within legacy applications.