CVE-2008-2903 in Advanced Webhost Billing System
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in news.php in Advanced Webhost Billing System (AWBS) 2.3.3 through 2.7.1, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the viewnews parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2903 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Advanced Webhost Billing System version 2.3.3 through 2.7.1. This vulnerability specifically affects the news.php component of the application where user input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into sql queries. The flaw manifests when the php configuration setting magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of single quotes, double quotes, and backslashes in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. This configuration bypass creates an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary sql commands through the viewnews parameter, which is directly used in sql statement construction without adequate input validation or sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the viewnews parameter in the news.php script. When an attacker crafts malicious input containing sql metacharacters and commands, these inputs are directly passed to the database engine without proper escaping or parameterization. This allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even execute system commands depending on the database backend and privileges. The vulnerability maps to CWE-89 sql injection, which is classified as a high severity issue in the common weakness enumeration system, and represents a fundamental flaw in input handling and query construction practices. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can lead to complete database compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass potential system compromise and service disruption. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to customer billing information, financial records, and personal data stored within the awbs system. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers might elevate their access level to administrative functions, potentially allowing them to modify system configurations or install malicious software. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 application layer protocol and T1046 network service scanning, as exploitation requires targeting specific web application endpoints. The affected versions span a range of software releases, indicating this was likely a persistent flaw that was not properly addressed through multiple iterations of the billing system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries. System administrators should ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is enabled or implement proper input sanitization routines that escape special sql characters. The recommended approach involves using prepared statements or parameterized queries with proper sql escaping functions to prevent malicious code injection. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. The patching strategy should involve upgrading to a fixed version of the awbs system or implementing proper input validation measures that address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect and respond to suspicious sql query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.