CVE-2008-2891 in emuCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in eMuSOFT emuCMS 0.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cat_id parameter in a category action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The CVE-2008-2891 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the emuCMS 0.3 content management system developed by eMuSOFT. This vulnerability specifically affects the index.php file and manifests when processing the cat_id parameter during category actions. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database layer, bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms that should protect against unauthorized database access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the emuCMS application. When the cat_id parameter is processed without proper escaping or parameterization, malicious sql payloads can be executed within the database context. This occurs because the application directly concatenates user-supplied input into sql query strings without appropriate filtering or encoding mechanisms. The 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 sanitization.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to emuCMS installations as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands remotely without requiring authentication. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive data from the database including user credentials, personal information, and application configuration details. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as malicious actors can modify database contents, delete records, or even escalate privileges within the database system. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location with internet connectivity, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is primarily limited to the category action functionality within emuCMS, specifically targeting the cat_id parameter in the index.php file. However, the implications are severe as the vulnerability can be exploited through simple http requests containing malicious sql payloads. This type of vulnerability aligns with the attack pattern described in the mitre attack framework under the technique of command and control through database manipulation. Organizations using emuCMS 0.3 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper database access controls. The recommended remediation approach involves sanitizing all user inputs, implementing proper sql parameterization, and ensuring that database accounts used by the application have minimal required privileges to prevent privilege escalation attacks. Additionally, regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the application.