CVE-2008-1954 in Web Calendar Pro
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in one_day.php in Web Calendar Pro 4.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the user_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1954 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Web Calendar Pro version 4.1 and earlier installations. This security weakness resides in the one_day.php script which processes user_id parameters without proper input validation or sanitization. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code through the user_id parameter, potentially allowing unauthorized access to the underlying database system. Such vulnerabilities fall under the category of CWE-89 SQL Injection as defined by the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, which categorizes this as a severe issue that can lead to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious user_id parameter that gets directly incorporated into SQL queries executed by the web application. This allows for arbitrary SQL command execution, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even gain administrative access to the calendar application. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can facilitate privilege escalation and persistent access to the system. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol DNS, as attackers may leverage this weakness to establish further footholds within the network infrastructure.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe for organizations relying on Web Calendar Pro for scheduling and calendar management. Database breaches could result in exposure of sensitive personal information, calendar entries, user credentials, and potentially other connected system data. The vulnerability affects the application's integrity and confidentiality, as unauthorized parties can manipulate or retrieve calendar data without proper authentication. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of data loss, privacy violations, and potential compliance breaches under regulations such as gdpr and hipaa. The attack vector requires no special privileges beyond network access to the web application, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the calendar system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1954 involve immediate patching of the Web Calendar Pro application to a version that addresses the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in future deployments. Additionally, network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses. The fix typically involves implementing proper input sanitization techniques and ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before being incorporated into database queries. System administrators should also consider implementing database access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts and potential exploitation activities.