CVE-2008-2455 in E107 Blog Engine
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in comment.php in the MacGuru BLOG Engine plugin 2.2 for e107 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the rid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2024
The CVE-2008-2455 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the MacGuru BLOG Engine plugin version 2.2 for the e107 content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the comment.php script which processes user comments and handles the rid parameter for retrieving related comments. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious sql commands within the rid parameter, which then gets executed by the underlying database engine without proper authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common sql injection patterns categorized under cwe-89, where user input is directly concatenated into sql command strings without proper sanitization. The rid parameter in comment.php serves as the primary attack vector, allowing remote adversaries to manipulate the sql query execution flow. When the plugin processes the rid value, it constructs a database query that includes the unfiltered user input, creating an environment where malicious sql payloads can be interpreted and executed with the privileges of the web application. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database layer, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the application's security context.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2455 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with comprehensive database access capabilities that align with several attack techniques documented in the mitre att&ck framework. The vulnerability can be exploited to perform data extraction attacks, database enumeration, and potentially lead to full system compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to bypass authentication mechanisms, access confidential information stored in the database, and manipulate content management system functionality. The e107 platform's reliance on database operations makes this vulnerability particularly severe, as it can affect not just blog content but potentially user accounts, configuration settings, and other sensitive data managed by the cms. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability affects a widely used plugin, increasing the potential impact across multiple installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2455 should focus on immediate input validation and parameterized query implementation. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied data, particularly the rid parameter, undergoes rigorous sanitization before database processing. The recommended approach involves implementing proper sql parameterization techniques that separate sql command structure from data values, thereby preventing malicious input from being interpreted as sql code. Additionally, input validation should include strict type checking and length limitations for the rid parameter to prevent buffer overflow attacks. System administrators should also implement web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious sql injection patterns, while regular security audits should verify that all sql queries properly utilize prepared statements or stored procedures. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping plugins and cms platforms updated, as this flaw existed in version 2.2 and was likely addressed in subsequent releases through proper input validation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect unauthorized sql command executions that might indicate exploitation attempts.