CVE-2008-2652 in SMEWeb
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in catalog.php in SMEWeb 1.4b and 1.4f allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) idp and (2) category parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2652 represents a critical security flaw in SMEWeb version 1.4b and 1.4f, specifically within the catalog.php script. This issue manifests as multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities that enable remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. The vulnerability affects two distinct parameter inputs: idp and category, both of which are processed without proper input validation or sanitization measures. The flaw resides in the application's failure to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructs, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors to manipulate database operations.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates under CWE-89 which classifies it as a SQL injection weakness where insufficient input validation allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any location with network access to the vulnerable web application. When an attacker submits malicious input through either the idp or category parameters, the application directly incorporates this unvalidated data into SQL queries without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms. This allows attackers to manipulate the intended database behavior, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information, modifying database contents, or even executing administrative commands on the database server itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing potential system compromise and business disruption. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential customer information, financial data, or proprietary business details stored within the SMEWeb database. The ability to execute arbitrary SQL commands opens pathways for data modification, deletion, or even database schema alteration that could render the entire application unusable. Organizations using affected SMEWeb versions face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, without requiring physical access to the network or system infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and parameterization techniques. Organizations should implement prepared statement usage or stored procedures to ensure that user input is properly separated from SQL command structures. The recommended approach involves updating the catalog.php script to validate and sanitize all incoming parameters through strict input filtering, length validation, and character set restrictions. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for suspicious SQL injection patterns. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to versions of SMEWeb that address this vulnerability, as the affected versions are no longer supported and likely contain additional unpatched security issues. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, following ATT&CK framework principles for defensive measures against command execution and data manipulation techniques.