CVE-2008-2191 in pnEncyclopedia
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the pnEncyclopedia module 0.2.0 and earlier for PostNuke allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in a display_term action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2191 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the pnEncyclopedia module version 0.2.0 and earlier implementations running on PostNuke content management systems. This security weakness resides in the module's handling of user input parameters, specifically the id parameter used in the display_term action within the index.php file. The vulnerability creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can manipulate the application's database interactions by injecting arbitrary sql commands through carefully crafted input data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the pnEncyclopedia module fails to properly sanitize or validate the id parameter before incorporating it into sql query constructions. This lack of input validation creates a direct pathway for sql injection attacks, allowing remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute unauthorized database operations. The flaw operates at the application layer where user-supplied data flows directly into sql command execution contexts without adequate filtering or parameterization. According to CWE classification, this represents a classic instance of CWE-89 sql injection vulnerability, which falls under the broader category of injection flaws that consistently rank among the top security risks in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform complete database compromise operations including data modification, deletion, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, extract confidential user data, modify content, or even establish persistent backdoors within the affected PostNuke installations. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system or local network presence, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. The vulnerability affects all versions of the pnEncyclopedia module up to and including version 0.2.0, indicating a widespread exposure across numerous installations that may have remained unpatched for extended periods.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigation strategies including input validation and parameterized queries to address this vulnerability. The recommended approach involves filtering all user-supplied input parameters through strict sanitization routines that prevent sql metacharacters from being processed as executable commands. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block sql injection attempts targeting known vulnerable parameters. According to ATT&CK framework methodology, this vulnerability aligns with techniques categorized under T1190 for exploit public-facing applications and T1071 for application layer protocol usage. The remediation process should include immediate patching of the pnEncyclopedia module to version 0.2.1 or later, along with comprehensive security auditing of other PostNuke modules that may present similar injection vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper database access controls and monitoring mechanisms will help detect unauthorized sql command executions and provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts.