CVE-2008-2562 in PowerPhlogger
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in edCss.php in PowerPhlogger 2.2.5 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the css_str parameter in an edit action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2562 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PowerPhlogger web application version 2.2.5 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the edCss.php component which handles CSS configuration management through an edit action. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database queries. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which denotes improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, making it a classic example of SQL injection vulnerability that has persisted across numerous web applications over the years.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user submits malicious input through the css_str parameter during an edit operation. This parameter is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the database context. The authenticated nature of this vulnerability means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but once achieved, they can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify database records, or even escalate privileges within the application's database environment. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, specifically targeting database communication channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the entire application configuration and potentially compromise the underlying system. Database administrators and security teams face significant risk when such vulnerabilities exist in production environments, as they can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's persistence in older versions of PowerPhlogger demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and patch management practices, particularly in legacy systems where security patches may not be automatically applied. Organizations using this application face potential data breaches, loss of sensitive information, and possible regulatory compliance violations depending on the nature of the data stored in the affected database.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2562 should prioritize immediate patching of the PowerPhlogger application to version 2.2.6 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries in the edCss.php component would prevent the injection of malicious SQL commands. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the impact of potential exploitation, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual database access patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection against SQL injection attacks targeting similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The remediation process must include thorough testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in the application's functionality while maintaining the security posture against similar attack vectors.