CVE-2008-2197 in Blog Writer
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the blogwriter module 2.0 for Miniweb allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the historymonth parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2197 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the blogwriter module version 2.0 of the Miniweb content management system. This security weakness resides in the way the application processes user input through the historymonth parameter in the index.php script, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection attacks where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL command strings without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the blogwriter module fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied input from the historymonth parameter. When a remote attacker submits malicious SQL code through this parameter, the application incorporates this unfiltered input directly into database queries, enabling the execution of arbitrary SQL commands. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with access to the affected web application. The attack vector is classified as remote and requires no user interaction beyond accessing the vulnerable page.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over the underlying database system. Successful exploitation could result in data theft, data modification, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and in extreme cases, complete system compromise. Attackers could extract confidential data such as user credentials, personal information, and application configuration details. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, as attackers can manipulate database structures to maintain access. This type of vulnerability falls under ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploit public-facing application and T1071.004 for application layer protocol, specifically targeting web application security weaknesses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2197 should focus on immediate remediation through input validation and parameterized queries. The most effective approach involves implementing proper input sanitization techniques, including the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries to separate SQL code from data. Organizations should also implement proper output encoding and employ web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Additionally, regular security audits, code reviews, and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the system. The remediation process should include updating to the latest version of the Miniweb blogwriter module where the vulnerability has been patched, and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. According to industry best practices and NIST guidelines, this vulnerability requires immediate attention due to its high severity classification and the potential for widespread impact across affected systems.