CVE-2008-2673 in pNews
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in Powie pNews 2.08 and 2.10, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the shownews parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2673 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Powie pNews content management system versions 2.08 and 2.10. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php script and exploits a fundamental weakness in input validation mechanisms. The flaw becomes particularly dangerous when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. This configuration setting essentially disables PHP's built-in protection against SQL injection attacks, leaving applications vulnerable to malicious input manipulation. The vulnerability is triggered through the shownews parameter, which serves as the primary attack vector for executing unauthorized SQL commands against the underlying database system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands without requiring authentication or local system access, making it a severe threat to database integrity and confidentiality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input for the shownews parameter that is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the application fails to properly escape special characters such as single quotes, semicolons, and other SQL metacharacters that could alter the intended execution flow of database queries. This allows attackers to inject additional SQL commands that are then executed by the database engine with the privileges of the web application's database user account. The impact extends beyond simple data retrieval, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify, delete, or extract sensitive information from the database. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure programming principles. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1566.001, which involves credential access through various attack vectors including SQL injection techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2673 is significant for organizations running affected versions of Powie pNews, as it provides attackers with a direct path to database compromise. Successful exploitation could result in complete database exposure, including user credentials, personal information, and application data. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the targeted system, as attackers could potentially delete critical data or modify application behavior. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face increased risk of data breaches and potential system compromise, especially when the web application has elevated database privileges. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to escalate their privileges within the database environment and potentially move laterally within the network infrastructure. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a classic example of how disabling security features like magic_quotes_gpc can create dangerous attack surfaces. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the affected software, but organizations should also implement proper input validation mechanisms and consider adopting parameterized queries to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious database activities and implementing web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts.