CVE-2008-2395 in AlkalinePHP
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in thread.php in AlkalinePHP 0.80.00 beta and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2395 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the AlkalinePHP content management system version 0.80.00 beta and earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically affects the thread.php component which handles thread-related functionality within the application. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql code directly through the id parameter, which is commonly used to identify specific threads or posts within the forum system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the id parameter in the thread.php script to inject sql commands that the application then executes against the underlying database. This type of injection attack falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities. The flaw demonstrates poor input handling practices where user input is directly concatenated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even gain unauthorized access to the database system itself. The remote nature of this attack means that exploitation does not require local system access, making it particularly dangerous for web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2395 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete system compromise through database manipulation. Successful exploitation allows attackers to perform unauthorized read operations on sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, and system configuration details. The vulnerability also permits write operations that could lead to data corruption, privilege escalation, or even complete system takeover. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the attack pattern taxonomy under techniques that involve data manipulation and privilege escalation. Organizations running affected versions of AlkalinePHP face significant risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, particularly when the application is exposed to untrusted network environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the AlkalinePHP application to version 0.80.00 release or later where the sql injection flaw has been addressed. System administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures that follow secure coding practices recommended by organizations such as owasp and nist. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should replace direct sql concatenation operations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses in other application components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping software updated and following security best practices in web application development to prevent sql injection attacks that can compromise entire database systems.