CVE-2008-2642 in OtomiGenX
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in login.php in OtomiGenX 2.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the userAccount parameter (aka the User Name field) to index.php. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2642 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the OtomiGenX 2.2 web application framework, specifically targeting the login.php component. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through the userAccount parameter. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it leverages the User Name field in the index.php file, which serves as the primary authentication interface for the application. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly escape or parameterize user input before incorporating it into SQL query constructs, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can be executed within the database context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in application security. Attackers can manipulate the userAccount parameter by inserting malicious SQL payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive database information. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple authentication bypass, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract, modify, or delete database records, including user credentials, personal information, and application data. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices where the application directly incorporates user-supplied values into database queries without proper sanitization, making it susceptible to classic SQL injection techniques such as union-based attacks or time-based blind injection methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for any organization utilizing OtomiGenX 2.2, as it provides remote attackers with a straightforward method to compromise the application's database layer. This vulnerability can be exploited from any location with network access to the affected web application, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application is publicly accessible. The attack surface is widened by the fact that the vulnerability affects the core authentication mechanism, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. Additionally, the vulnerability's persistence across multiple user sessions and its ability to bypass standard authentication controls creates a significant risk for data integrity and confidentiality. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and reputational damage if this vulnerability is exploited, particularly in industries governed by standards such as pci dss or hipaa.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2642 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The most effective approach involves adopting prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL code from user data, ensuring that malicious input cannot alter the intended query structure. Organizations should also implement proper input sanitization techniques, including character encoding, length validation, and whitelist-based input filtering to prevent injection attempts. The application should be updated to a patched version of OtomiGenX that addresses this vulnerability, as the original version contains known security flaws that have been documented in security advisories. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though these should not be relied upon as the sole mitigation strategy. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems within their infrastructure, following established frameworks such as those outlined in the mitre attack framework for identifying and addressing similar threats across different attack vectors.