CVE-2008-2484 in Xomol
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in Xomol CMS 1.20071213, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the email parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2024
The CVE-2008-2484 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the Xomol CMS version 1.20071213 that specifically targets the index.php script. This vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's handling of user-supplied data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it occurs when the php configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters that would normally protect against such attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the email parameter processing, where user input is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic sql injection pattern where an attacker crafts malicious input that alters the intended sql query structure. When the email parameter is processed in index.php, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into database queries. This allows an attacker to inject malicious sql code that gets executed by the database server, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the absence of magic_quotes_gpc protection, which would normally provide automatic escaping of single quotes, double quotes, and backslashes in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. This creates a direct execution path where malicious payloads can be constructed using sql injection techniques such as union-based queries, time-based attacks, or error-based exploitation methods.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple data compromise to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within affected networks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the cms database, potentially extracting sensitive user information, administrative credentials, or other confidential data stored within the application's database. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers can manipulate database permissions or execute administrative commands through the sql injection vector. This represents a significant threat to organizations relying on Xomol CMS, as the vulnerability provides a direct pathway to database-level access that can be leveraged for persistent access or to pivot to other systems within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2484 require immediate implementation of multiple defensive measures to protect against sql injection attacks. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, particularly in the index.php script where the vulnerability manifests. Organizations should ensure that all user inputs are properly sanitized and validated before being processed, utilizing prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate sql code from data. Additionally, enabling magic_quotes_gpc as a temporary workaround can provide protection until proper code fixes are implemented, though this approach is not recommended as a permanent solution due to php version compatibility issues and potential side effects. System administrators should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious sql injection patterns, monitor database access logs for unusual activities, and ensure that the Xomol CMS is updated to a patched version that addresses this specific vulnerability. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar sql injection vulnerabilities in other parts of the application or related systems, as this type of flaw is commonly present in legacy content management systems and web applications.