CVE-2008-1909 in Phpkb Knowledge Base
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in comment.php in PHP Knowledge Base (PHPKB) 1.5 and 2.0 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-2008-1909 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHP Knowledge Base (PHPKB) application versions 1.5 and 2.0. This security weakness resides in the comment.php script which processes user input without proper sanitization or validation, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the ID parameter which is directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate input filtering mechanisms. This flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can be executed within the database context, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation practices within the PHPKB application codebase. When the ID parameter is passed to the comment.php script, it is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without any sanitization or parameterization measures. This violates fundamental security principles outlined in CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into database queries. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input sanitization that allows attackers to manipulate the SQL execution flow by injecting malicious payloads through the ID parameter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing full system compromise potential through database manipulation and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential data, modify or delete database records, and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require local system access or physical presence to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1046 which addresses network service enumeration that can be used to identify vulnerable systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1909 must focus on immediate input validation and parameterization of all database queries. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization techniques including the use of prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The PHPKB application should be updated to versions that have addressed this vulnerability, as the original affected versions (1.5 and 2.0) are no longer supported. Network segmentation and firewall rules can provide additional protection layers, while database access controls should be implemented to limit the privileges of database accounts used by the application. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, with particular attention to any PHP applications that process user input through database queries. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation at all levels of application development as recommended by OWASP Top Ten security guidelines.