CVE-2008-2817 in NiTrO Web Gallery
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in albums.php in NiTrO Web Gallery 1.4.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the CatId parameter in a show action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2817 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the NiTrO Web Gallery 1.4.3 and earlier versions. This security weakness exists in the albums.php script where user input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The specific parameter affected is CatId within the show action, which allows malicious actors to manipulate the underlying SQL execution flow and potentially gain unauthorized access to the database infrastructure.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in web applications that fail to properly validate and sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into database queries. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it enables remote code execution through SQL commands, allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and directly interact with the database backend. The flaw exploits the lack of input validation and proper parameterization in the application's database interaction code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can result in complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract, modify, or delete database records, potentially leading to data loss, service disruption, and unauthorized system access. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system and can exploit the vulnerability from anywhere on the network. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, which specifically addresses attacks targeting web applications through publicly accessible interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to ensure that user-supplied data cannot alter the intended SQL command structure. Applications should utilize prepared statements or stored procedures that separate SQL code from user input, preventing malicious input from being interpreted as executable SQL commands. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database user permissions can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against common web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also establish regular security testing procedures including vulnerability scanning and code reviews to identify and remediate similar weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors.