CVE-2008-2177 in phpDirectorySource
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in phpDirectorySource 1.1.06, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) lid parameter to show.php and the (2) login parameter to admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2177 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting phpDirectorySource version 1.1.06, specifically when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled. This vulnerability exists in two distinct attack vectors within the application's codebase, making it particularly dangerous as it provides multiple pathways for malicious actors to exploit the system. The affected parameters are lid in the show.php file and login in the admin.php file, both of which are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper input validation or sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, PHP does not automatically escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data, leaving the application vulnerable to injection attacks. The lid parameter in show.php and the login parameter in admin.php both accept user input that flows directly into SQL execution contexts, allowing attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries through malicious input sequences. This flaw directly maps to CWE-89, which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields that are then executed by the database, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the affected database server. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, including data extraction, modification, or deletion of sensitive information. Attackers could potentially escalate privileges, gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, or even use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications accessible over the internet. Additionally, the presence of SQL injection vulnerabilities in both frontend and backend administrative interfaces creates opportunities for attackers to gain elevated privileges and access sensitive administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms for all user-supplied data, particularly the lid and login parameters identified in the vulnerability. The application should employ prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is properly escaped and treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, administrators should enable magic_quotes_gpc or implement equivalent protection mechanisms at the application level to prevent malicious input from reaching database execution contexts. Security measures should include input validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially dangerous characters, proper error handling that does not reveal database structure information, and regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, and consider implementing database access controls to limit the privileges of database accounts used by the application, thereby reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.