CVE-2008-2509 in Excuse Online
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in pwd.asp in Excuse Online allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the pID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2509 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Excuse Online web application's pwd.asp component. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, specifically targeting the pID parameter that processes password reset requests. The vulnerability exists in the application's database interaction logic where user input flows directly into SQL query construction without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the pID parameter to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context, potentially allowing full database access and arbitrary command execution. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation practices that violates fundamental secure coding principles and creates an avenue for severe data compromise.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which classifies SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization. The attack vector operates through the web application's password reset functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it could be leveraged to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to user accounts. The operational impact extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify or delete sensitive database records, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system and can exploit it from any location with network connectivity to the affected web server.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of SQL Injection (T1071.005) and Database Configuration Misalignment (T1566.001). Attackers typically begin by identifying the vulnerable parameter through reconnaissance activities, then craft malicious payloads that manipulate the SQL query structure to extract database information, modify user credentials, or escalate privileges. The impact on system security is severe as this vulnerability could allow attackers to access user account information, personal data, and potentially system administrative credentials. Organizations using Excuse Online would face significant compliance violations if user data were compromised, particularly under regulations such as gdpr and hipaa that mandate proper data protection measures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters commonly used in SQL injection attacks, combined with the adoption of prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure user input cannot alter the intended SQL command structure. Organizations should also implement proper output encoding when displaying database results to prevent potential cross-site scripting attacks that could compound the security impact. Additionally, regular security code reviews and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this flaw likely indicates broader security weaknesses in the application's architecture and development practices.