CVE-2008-2428 in Torrenttrader Classic
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in TorrentTrader 1.08 Classic allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) email or (2) wantusername parameter to account-signup.php, or the (3) receiver parameter to account-inbox.php in a msg action.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2428 represents a critical security flaw in TorrentTrader 1.08 Classic, a web-based torrent management system that was widely deployed in 2008. This vulnerability manifests as multiple SQL injection weaknesses that collectively expose the application to remote code execution attacks. The flaw affects three distinct input parameters across different application endpoints, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to compromise the system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, representing one of the most prevalent and dangerous categories of web application vulnerabilities according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. These vulnerabilities directly violate the principle of input validation and demonstrate a fundamental lack of proper database query sanitization within the application's codebase.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through three specific attack vectors that target different PHP scripts within the TorrentTrader application. The first vector involves the email parameter in the account-signup.php script, while the second targets the wantusername parameter within the same file. The third vector attacks the receiver parameter in account-inbox.php when processing messages through the msg action. All three attack paths allow malicious users to inject arbitrary SQL commands directly into the database query execution flow without proper sanitization or parameterization. This unfiltered input processing creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate database operations, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive user data, modifying database contents, or even executing system commands depending on the database backend configuration. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries, a fundamental security practice that should be implemented in all database-driven applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2428 extends far beyond simple data corruption, presenting attackers with comprehensive system compromise capabilities. Successful exploitation could enable unauthorized users to extract all user credentials, personal information, and torrent-related data stored within the database. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access to the server or administrative privileges to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for public-facing web applications. Database administrators could face potential data breaches that might expose sensitive user information including email addresses, usernames, and potentially password hashes if the application stores them in plaintext or with weak hashing algorithms. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that these vulnerabilities exist in multiple locations within the application, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation regardless of which specific parameter is targeted. This multi-vector approach also complicates defensive measures since each vulnerable endpoint requires individual protection strategies. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, specifically targeting SQL injection as a means of achieving unauthorized access to database resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2428 must address the root cause of improper input handling through comprehensive application security measures. The primary remediation involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements throughout the application codebase to ensure that user input cannot be interpreted as SQL commands. Input validation and sanitization should be implemented at multiple layers including client-side and server-side validation to provide defense-in-depth protection. Additionally, the application should implement proper access controls and least privilege principles to limit the damage that could occur even if exploitation were to succeed. Security patches should be applied immediately to update the TorrentTrader application to a version that addresses these vulnerabilities, as the original 1.08 Classic version is no longer supported. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional monitoring and blocking capabilities for known attack patterns associated with SQL injection attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components and ensure that proper security practices are maintained throughout the application lifecycle. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of following secure coding practices and the necessity of implementing robust input validation mechanisms in all database-driven web applications to prevent similar exploitation vectors from being introduced in future software releases.