CVE-2008-2175 in BlogMe PHP
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in comments.php in Gamma Scripts BlogMe PHP 1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2175 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Gamma Scripts BlogMe PHP 1.1 blogging platform. This security weakness exists in the comments.php script where user input is improperly handled, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability specifically targets the id parameter which is used to retrieve and display comments associated with specific blog entries, making it a direct pathway for unauthorized database access and potential system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the PHP application code. When the id parameter is passed to comments.php, the application fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructs. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code through the parameter, potentially bypassing authentication mechanisms, extracting sensitive data, or even modifying database contents. The flaw aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands as a fundamental weakness in application security. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious URLs containing SQL injection payloads that manipulate the database query execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with comprehensive database access capabilities that could lead to complete system compromise. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring any prior authentication or access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized data modification, data deletion, privilege escalation, or even full system takeover depending on the database permissions and underlying system architecture. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire blog platform, potentially exposing sensitive user information, comments, and administrative data. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2175 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query execution practices. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided patches or upgrade to newer versions of BlogMe PHP that address this vulnerability. Input sanitization measures must be implemented to ensure all user-supplied parameters are properly validated and escaped before database interaction. The application should utilize prepared statements or parameterized queries to separate SQL code from data, preventing injection attacks. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, database query monitoring, and regular security assessments can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should also be deployed to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns and block malicious traffic targeting this vulnerability.