CVE-2008-2535 in Phoenix View CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Phoenix View CMS Pre Alpha2 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the del parameter to (1) gbuch.admin.php, (2) links.admin.php, (3) menue.admin.php, (4) news.admin.php, and (5) todo.admin.php in admin/module/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2535 represents a critical security flaw in Phoenix View CMS versions prior to Pre Alpha2, exposing multiple pathways for remote code execution through SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability affects the administrative interfaces of the content management system, specifically targeting five distinct administrative modules that handle various content management functions. The flaw manifests when the del parameter is manipulated in requests directed to gbuch.admin.php, links.admin.php, menue.admin.php, news.admin.php, and todo.admin.php within the admin/module/ directory structure. These administrative endpoints serve as critical access points for content modification and system management, making them prime targets for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the administrative modules of the CMS. When an attacker submits malicious input through the del parameter, the application fails to properly escape or filter the user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query construction. This omission creates a direct pathway for SQL injection attacks, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database queries and potentially execute arbitrary SQL commands. The vulnerability is classified as a classic SQL injection flaw under CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The attack vector operates entirely over network communication, requiring no local system access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for remote exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data manipulation, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers could potentially extract confidential data, modify content management structures, escalate privileges within the system, or even gain shell access to the underlying server. The affected administrative modules control core functionality including user management, content publishing, navigation configuration, news management, and task tracking, providing attackers with comprehensive control over the CMS environment. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 for network service discovery, as exploitation requires understanding of the application's administrative interface structure and database interactions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the CMS to a version that addresses the input validation flaws in the affected administrative modules. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including parameterized queries and proper escaping of user-supplied data before database interaction. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to restrict access to administrative interfaces, limiting exposure to authorized personnel only. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in administrative module access, particularly when del parameters are manipulated. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation, as highlighted in OWASP Top 10 2021 category A03: Injection, which emphasizes the need for proper data sanitization in all user-facing application interfaces. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other application components, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar injection attacks.