CVE-2008-2429 in Basic
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Calendarix Basic 0.8.20071118 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the catsearch parameter to cal_search.php or (2) the catview parameter to cal_cat.php. NOTE: vector 1 might overlap CVE-2007-3183.3, and vector 2 might overlap CVE-2005-1865.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2429 represents a critical security flaw in Calendarix Basic version 0.8.20071118, a web-based calendar application that was widely used for event management and scheduling. This vulnerability manifests as multiple SQL injection flaws that enable remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. The affected parameters include catsearch in cal_search.php and catview in cal_cat.php, both of which process user input without proper sanitization or validation. These attack vectors demonstrate the classic pattern of SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted input is directly concatenated into SQL queries without appropriate escaping or parameterization mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of these vulnerabilities occurs through the manipulation of HTTP request parameters that are processed by the calendar application's search and category viewing functions. When an attacker submits malicious input through the catsearch parameter in cal_search.php, the application fails to properly sanitize the input before incorporating it into database queries, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the database user. Similarly, the catview parameter in cal_cat.php presents the same risk when processing category view requests. These flaws fall under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is used in database queries without proper validation or escaping. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers the exploitation of SQL injection vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to database systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, deletion, and potentially system compromise. An attacker could extract sensitive information such as user credentials, event details, or other confidential data stored in the calendar application's database. The vulnerability also enables attackers to manipulate the calendar data, potentially disrupting business operations or creating false events. Given that Calendarix Basic was a widely deployed application, the potential attack surface for this vulnerability was extensive, affecting numerous organizations that relied on this calendar system for their scheduling and event management needs. The overlap with previously identified vulnerabilities CVE-2007-3183.3 and CVE-2005-1865.2 suggests this represents a recurring pattern of inadequate input validation in calendar and event management applications. Organizations utilizing this vulnerable software faced the risk of complete database compromise, unauthorized access to sensitive scheduling information, and potential data breaches that could affect both personal and organizational event data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the Calendarix Basic application to the latest available version that addresses these SQL injection flaws. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries in all database interactions would prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Network segmentation and database access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input validation and database query construction would help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems could provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attacks targeting this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also consider conducting comprehensive security training for developers to prevent similar issues in custom applications that interact with database systems.