CVE-2008-2862 in Site Composer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in eLineStudio Site Composer (ESC) 2.6 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) id parameter to ansFAQ.asp and the (2) template_id parameter to preview.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2862 represents a critical security flaw in eLineStudio Site Composer version 2.6 and earlier systems, specifically targeting SQL injection attack vectors that enable remote code execution. This vulnerability resides within the web application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or system resources. The flaw affects two distinct endpoints within the application: ansFAQ.asp and preview.asp, both of which process user input without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The primary attack vectors involve the id parameter in ansFAQ.asp and the template_id parameter in preview.asp, where improper input handling allows attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that bypass normal authentication and authorization checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or validate user input before incorporating it into database queries. When the id parameter in ansFAQ.asp receives unfiltered input, the application directly concatenates this data into SQL statements without appropriate parameterization or input sanitization. Similarly, the template_id parameter in preview.asp suffers from identical weaknesses, allowing attackers to manipulate the database interaction process through crafted payloads. This lack of input validation creates a direct pathway for attackers to construct malicious SQL queries that can execute with the privileges of the web application's database user. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to complete database compromise and potential system infiltration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, potentially compromising sensitive information stored within the application's database. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, extract user credentials, or gain deeper system access that could lead to complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet. This vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to perform privilege escalation attacks and potentially establish persistent access to the compromised system, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning.
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 throughout the application codebase, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being incorporated into database operations. Organizations should implement input validation routines that reject or escape potentially dangerous characters and patterns commonly associated with SQL injection attacks. Additionally, the application should employ prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent direct concatenation of user input into SQL commands, which directly addresses the root cause of the vulnerability. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, while implementing proper access controls and database privilege management can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection, though these should not replace proper code-level fixes. Organizations should also ensure that all systems are updated to the latest available versions of the eLineStudio Site Composer software, as vendor patches would address this specific vulnerability and prevent exploitation attempts.