CVE-2008-2897 in PageSquid
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in PageSquid CMS 0.3 Beta allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The CVE-2008-2897 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the PageSquid Content Management System version 03 Beta that affects the index.php script. This vulnerability specifically targets the page parameter handling mechanism, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute unauthorized sql commands against the underlying database system. The flaw exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the sql query structure through crafted input values. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables full database compromise, potentially exposing sensitive user information, configuration data, and application logic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the index.php file where the page parameter is directly incorporated into sql query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw aligns with common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection vulnerabilities as a critical security concern. Attackers can exploit this by submitting malicious sql payloads through the page parameter, potentially bypassing authentication mechanisms, extracting database contents, modifying or deleting records, and in severe cases gaining complete system control. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on database connectivity for core functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to perform comprehensive database manipulation operations including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1071.004, this vulnerability facilitates application layer protocol manipulation, while T1213.002 represents the data extraction capabilities that attackers can achieve through sql injection. Organizations running PageSquid CMS 0.3 Beta are at risk of complete database compromise, with potential exposure of user credentials, personal information, and business-critical data. The vulnerability also poses significant risk to system availability as attackers could potentially delete or corrupt database structures, leading to application downtime and service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2897 should prioritize immediate patching of the PageSquid CMS to the latest stable version that addresses this sql injection vulnerability. Organizations must implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their application codebase to prevent similar issues in the future. The implementation of web application firewalls and sql injection detection systems provides additional defense layers. Database access controls should be reviewed and restricted to minimize potential impact from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire application infrastructure, while maintaining proper logging and monitoring capabilities to detect anomalous sql query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.