CVE-2008-2443 in The Real Estate Script
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in dpage.php in The Real Estate Script allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the docID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2443 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within The Real Estate Script's dpage.php component. This vulnerability specifically targets the docID parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the application's database layer. The flaw exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. This allows attackers to manipulate the underlying database structure and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to employ proper parameterized queries or input sanitization techniques when processing the docID parameter. When a user submits data through this parameter, the script directly concatenates the input into SQL command strings without adequate validation or escaping. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization. The vulnerability enables attackers to construct malicious SQL statements that can bypass authentication mechanisms, extract confidential data, modify database contents, or even execute system commands depending on the database management system in use.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with extensive control over the affected system's database infrastructure. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to perform unauthorized data manipulation, including deleting records, modifying property listings, accessing user credentials, or extracting sensitive real estate information. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. According to ATT&CK framework category T1190, this vulnerability represents a database injection technique that can be used to establish persistent access to backend systems, potentially enabling further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The consequences include potential data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations that could result in significant financial and reputational damage to the organization operating the real estate script.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2443 require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized query usage throughout the application's codebase. Organizations should implement strict input filtering that validates the docID parameter against expected data types and ranges, ensuring that only legitimate numeric identifiers are processed. The most effective remediation involves adopting prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from data values, thereby preventing malicious input from altering the intended query execution. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database user permissions can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Security patches should be applied immediately to update the vulnerable script version, while network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, following established security best practices outlined in industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.