CVE-2008-2754 in eFiction
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in toplists.php in eFiction 3.0 and 3.4.3, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the list parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-2754 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the eFiction content management system version 3.0 and 3.4.3. This vulnerability specifically targets the toplists.php script which processes user input through the list parameter without proper sanitization. The flaw occurs when the php configuration option magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, removing the automatic escaping of special characters that would normally protect against sql injection attacks. This creates a direct pathway for remote attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious sql code through the vulnerable parameter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices within the eFiction application. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the application fails to implement adequate parameter sanitization measures before incorporating user-supplied data into sql queries. The list parameter in toplists.php directly influences database query construction without proper escaping or prepared statement usage, allowing attackers to inject sql payloads that can manipulate, retrieve, or delete database information. This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper validation or escaping.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted across multiple attack vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary sql commands on the affected database server, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive user data, configuration information, or application credentials. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform data manipulation operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion, which could lead to complete system compromise. Additionally, attackers might use this vulnerability as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network infrastructure, particularly when the database server shares resources with other critical systems. According to the attack technique framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques described in the attack pattern catalog under sql injection attacks that leverage insufficient input sanitization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2754 require immediate implementation of multiple defensive measures to protect against sql injection exploitation. The primary recommendation involves enabling magic_quotes_gpc or implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization mechanisms throughout the application codebase. Organizations should deploy prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database interactions to eliminate the possibility of sql injection through user input. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database permissions can limit the damage that could occur if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation flaws within the application. The remediation process should include upgrading to patched versions of eFiction where available, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases that properly implemented input sanitization and sql query construction practices. Security monitoring and intrusion detection systems should also be configured to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.