CVE-2008-2416 in FicHive
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in FicHive 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the category parameter in a Fiction action, possibly related to sources/fiction.class.php.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2024
The CVE-2008-2416 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the FicHive 1.0 content management system that fundamentally compromises the application's database security. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php script where user input from the category parameter in the Fiction action is not properly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into sql queries. The flaw exists within the sources/fiction.class.php component which handles fictional content management, making it a direct pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that unauthorized users can exploit this weakness without requiring local system access or prior authentication, significantly expanding the potential attack surface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and parameter handling within the application's sql query construction process. When the category parameter is passed through the Fiction action, the application directly concatenates this user-supplied data into sql statements without appropriate escaping or parameterization mechanisms. This creates an environment where malicious sql payloads can be injected and executed with the privileges of the database user account under which the application operates. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations, potentially leading to complete database compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2416 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database server. This vulnerability enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and application configuration details. The exposure of database contents can result in significant data breaches affecting users and potentially leading to regulatory compliance violations. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities, T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, and T1005 for data from local system. The remote execution capability means that attackers can exploit this vulnerability from any location, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query construction throughout the application codebase. The most effective remediation involves replacing direct string concatenation with prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate sql command structure from user data. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization routines and output encoding can prevent malicious payloads from being executed. Security measures should include regular code reviews focusing on sql query construction, implementation of web application firewalls to detect suspicious parameter patterns, and comprehensive database access logging to monitor for unauthorized activities. Organizations should also establish proper security patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain updated vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other components of their web applications.