CVE-2008-2222 in EQdkp
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in login.php in EQdkp 1.3.2f allows remote attackers to bypass EQdkp user authentication via the user_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2222 represents a critical sql injection flaw in the EQdkp 1.3.2f web application's login.php script. This authentication bypass vulnerability specifically targets the user_id parameter, which is processed without adequate input sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw resides in the application's handling of user authentication requests where malicious input can manipulate the underlying sql query structure to circumvent normal authentication procedures. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of sql injection, which is classified as a serious weakness in web applications that can lead to unauthorized access and data compromise. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the database backend, potentially enabling them to extract sensitive user information, modify user credentials, or gain administrative privileges within the EQdkp system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malicious user_id parameter value that contains sql injection payloads. These payloads are designed to manipulate the sql query execution flow, typically by using techniques such as union-based queries, boolean-based blind injection, or error-based exploitation methods. The vulnerability stems from insufficient parameter validation and improper sql query construction practices within the login.php script. When the application processes the user_id parameter, it directly incorporates user-supplied input into sql statements without proper escaping or parameterization. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious sql code that executes with the privileges of the database user account used by the EQdkp application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector is entirely remote, requiring no local system access or prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised EQdkp system. Successful exploitation allows unauthorized users to access the application's administrative functions, modify user accounts, view sensitive data, and potentially escalate privileges to gain full system control. The vulnerability affects all users of EQdkp 1.3.2f, including legitimate administrators and regular users, making it a significant threat to the overall security posture of the application. Organizations using this version of EQdkp face risks of data breaches, unauthorized access to user accounts, and potential disruption of gaming communities that rely on the application for managing their guild activities and member information. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the core authentication mechanism, which is fundamental to application security and user trust. According to the attack tactics framework, this vulnerability aligns with the credential access category in the MITRE ATT&CK matrix, specifically targeting the authentication bypass techniques that allow attackers to impersonate legitimate users within the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2222 involve immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. Organizations should upgrade to a patched version of EQdkp that addresses this vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released security updates to resolve the issue. The recommended approach includes implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database interactions, particularly in authentication scripts. Additionally, input sanitization measures should be enforced to validate and filter all user-supplied parameters before processing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and block sql injection attempts. Security monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual authentication patterns and potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege when designing web applications, ensuring that database connections use minimal required permissions and that all user inputs are properly validated before being processed by the application.