CVE-2008-2762 in Absolute Form Processor XE
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in search.asp in Xigla Absolute Form Processor XE 4.0 allows remote authenticated administrators s to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the orderby parameter.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2762 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Xigla Absolute Form Processor XE 4.0 web application. This security weakness resides in the search.asp component which processes user input through the orderby parameter, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability specifically affects authenticated administrator users, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid administrative credentials before exploiting this weakness. This authentication requirement slightly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the severity of the issue, as administrative privileges typically provide extensive access to sensitive data and system functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the application's search functionality. When administrators use the orderby parameter to sort search results, the application directly incorporates user-supplied input into SQL query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a direct result of insufficient input validation in database query construction. The attack vector specifically targets the orderby parameter, suggesting that the application's query building logic does not properly escape or validate special SQL characters that could alter the intended query structure. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the database user associated with the web application's database connection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands within the database context. This could enable complete database compromise including data exfiltration, data modification, or even database destruction. Administrative privileges combined with SQL injection capabilities create a particularly dangerous scenario where attackers can manipulate user accounts, modify system configurations, or escalate their access to other system components. The vulnerability's presence in a form processing application is especially concerning as it likely handles sensitive user data submissions, making the potential impact on data integrity and confidentiality substantial. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol and T1566 for Phishing, as the attack typically requires initial access through legitimate administrative credentials before exploiting this database injection weakness.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2762 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should immediately patch the affected Xigla Absolute Form Processor XE 4.0 version or upgrade to a secure release that addresses this vulnerability. The recommended approach involves implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database interactions, particularly those involving user-supplied input. Additionally, access controls should be strictly enforced to limit administrative privileges to only necessary personnel, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive code reviews to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other application components, as this vulnerability type remains prevalent in legacy web applications. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring tools can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks while maintaining operational security posture.