CVE-2008-2491 in AbleSpace
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in adv_cat.php in AbleSpace 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cat_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2491 represents a critical sql injection flaw in the AbleSpace 1.0 content management system specifically within the adv_cat.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the cat_id parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database layer, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses where untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper escaping or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malicious value through the cat_id parameter in the adv_cat.php script. The application fails to properly sanitize this input before incorporating it into database queries, creating an opportunity for sql injection attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database server, potentially gaining access to administrative credentials, user data, financial records, or other sensitive information stored within the database. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system and can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2491 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Successful exploitation could result in data exfiltration, data corruption, or even system takeover through database-level privileges. Organizations running AbleSpace 1.0 are particularly vulnerable since this represents a known weakness in the application's input handling mechanisms that has been documented for over a decade. The vulnerability demonstrates poor application security practices and highlights the critical importance of input validation and parameterized queries in preventing sql injection attacks. This flaw would likely be detected by standard security scanning tools and represents a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to ensure that user-supplied data cannot be interpreted as sql commands. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided patch if available or implement input sanitization measures that filter out dangerous characters and sequences from the cat_id parameter. Security measures should include disabling unnecessary database privileges for web applications, implementing proper access controls, and conducting regular security audits. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploit for client execution through sql injection attacks, and represents a classic example of how inadequate input validation can lead to complete system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.