CVE-2008-2521 in Mega File Hosting Script
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in members.php in YABSoft Mega File Hosting Script (aka MFH or MFHS) 1.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the fid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2521 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the YABSoft Mega File Hosting Script version 1.2, specifically affecting the members.php component. This vulnerability resides in the file management functionality of the web application, where the fid parameter fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. The flaw enables authenticated attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations through maliciously crafted input, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. This issue is particularly concerning as it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning that any user with valid credentials can leverage this vulnerability to compromise the database integrity. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in software design that occurs when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL command structures without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The attack vector operates through the manipulation of the fid parameter, which is typically used to identify specific files or folders within the file hosting system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic SQL injection pattern where the authenticated user can append malicious SQL code to the fid parameter, thereby bypassing normal access controls and database security measures. When the application processes the fid parameter, it concatenates the user input directly into SQL queries without proper input sanitization or parameterized query construction. This creates an environment where attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands against the backend database, potentially gaining access to sensitive information such as user credentials, file metadata, or system configurations. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as authentication is already necessary to access the affected functionality. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 for exploit for client execution, as the attacker leverages legitimate application functionality to achieve unauthorized database access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the application and potentially move laterally within the network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could extract user account information, modify file permissions, or even inject malicious code into the system through database manipulation. The affected YABSoft Mega File Hosting Script represents a file sharing platform that likely stores sensitive user data, making the potential impact of this vulnerability significant for organizations relying on the system. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions of the application indicates a fundamental design flaw in the input handling mechanism that was not properly addressed in the software development lifecycle. Organizations using this version of MFHS face substantial risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to their file hosting systems, particularly since the vulnerability affects core file management functionality that is frequently accessed by users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The recommended approach involves modifying the members.php script to utilize prepared statements or parameterized queries when processing the fid parameter, ensuring that user input is properly escaped or validated before database interaction. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and input sanitization at multiple layers of the application can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security measures should include regular code reviews to identify and address similar input handling issues, as well as implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious SQL injection attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly focusing on input validation and output encoding to prevent injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and logging to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails for forensic analysis. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing can help identify similar weaknesses in the application architecture, while ensuring that proper security patches and updates are applied to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in the software stack.