CVE-2008-2448 in Meto Forum
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Meto Forum 1.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) id parameter to (a) admin/duzenle.asp and (b) admin_oku.asp; the (2) kid parameter to (c) kategori.asp and (d) admin_kategori.asp; and unspecified parameters to (e) uye.asp and (f) oku.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2448 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting Meto Forum version 1.1, a web-based discussion platform that was widely deployed in 2008. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within several administrative and user-facing scripts, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The flaw manifests through multiple entry points including the id parameter in admin/duzenle.asp and admin_oku.asp scripts, the kid parameter in kategori.asp and admin_kategori.asp, and unspecified parameters in uye.asp and oku.asp. These vulnerable endpoints demonstrate poor input validation practices that directly expose the application to malicious SQL command injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or escape user input before incorporating it into SQL query strings. When parameters such as id, kid, or unspecified inputs are passed to these scripts without adequate validation, attackers can manipulate the SQL execution context by injecting malicious SQL code through crafted input values. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is used in SQL commands without proper sanitization. The attack vector is entirely remote, requiring no local access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable web application. The impact of successful exploitation includes unauthorized database access, data manipulation, information disclosure, and potential complete system compromise through database-level command execution.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple data theft, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of any system running the affected Meto Forum version. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can extract sensitive user information including passwords, personal details, and administrative credentials stored in the database. The exposure of administrative endpoints through admin/duzenle.asp and admin_oku.asp provides attackers with elevated privileges and the ability to modify forum content, delete user accounts, or even install backdoors. Additionally, the vulnerability's presence in kategori.asp and admin_kategori.asp scripts allows attackers to manipulate category structures and potentially disrupt forum operations. The unspecified parameters in uye.asp and oku.asp create additional attack surfaces that may enable more sophisticated exploitation techniques, including union-based attacks and blind SQL injection methods. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of SQL injection to gain access to databases and extract sensitive information from web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2448 require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries throughout the affected application. The most effective approach involves implementing proper input sanitization at all points where user data enters the application, particularly in the vulnerable scripts mentioned in the original description. Web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns targeting these specific endpoints. The recommended solution includes adopting prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is never directly concatenated into SQL commands. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms for administrative interfaces to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper database security practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 2004 category a01, which specifically addresses injection flaws including SQL injection. System administrators must also ensure that the affected Meto Forum version is upgraded to a patched release or replaced with a more secure alternative to prevent continued exposure to this and similar vulnerabilities.