CVE-2008-1918 in PHP-Fusion
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in submit.php in PHP-Fusion 6.01.14 and 6.00.307, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled and the database table prefix is known, allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the submit_info[] parameter in a link submission action. NOTE: it was later reported that 7.00.2 is also affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1918 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the PHP-Fusion content management system version 6.01.14 and 6.00.307, with subsequent confirmation that version 7.00.2 remains susceptible to the same issue. This vulnerability specifically targets the submit.php script which handles link submission functionality within the CMS. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries. The vulnerability requires specific conditions to be exploitable including the disabling of magic_quotes_gpc directive and knowledge of the database table prefix, which significantly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk entirely.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the submit_info[] parameter during the link submission process. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the php application no longer automatically escapes special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data, leaving the application vulnerable to sql injection attacks. Attackers can craft malicious input that bypasses normal input validation checks and injects arbitrary sql commands into the database query execution flow. The requirement for knowing the database table prefix indicates that this vulnerability could be leveraged by authenticated users who have access to the system, potentially allowing them to escalate privileges or extract sensitive information from the database. This aligns with CWE-89 which classifies sql injection as a weakness that allows attackers to manipulate sql queries through untrusted input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as authenticated users with sufficient privileges can execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database server. This capability enables attackers to modify or delete database records, extract sensitive information such as user credentials, session tokens, or confidential content, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the system. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire php-fusion installation, making it a critical concern for organizations relying on this cms platform. The fact that multiple versions including 7.00.2 remain affected demonstrates the persistence of this flaw within the codebase, indicating inadequate security review processes during the development lifecycle.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through proper input validation and sanitization practices. The most effective immediate solution involves enabling magic_quotes_gpc or implementing comprehensive input filtering mechanisms that properly escape or sanitize user-supplied data before database insertion. Organizations should also consider implementing parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent sql injection regardless of input validation failures. Additional protective measures include restricting database user privileges to minimum required permissions, implementing proper access controls, and conducting regular security audits of web applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks such as those defined in the OWASP top ten project, which categorizes sql injection as one of the most critical web application security risks. Furthermore, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing proper security monitoring to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.