CVE-2008-2964 in ResearchGuide
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in guide.php in ResearchGuide 0.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2964 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the ResearchGuide 0.5 web application, specifically affecting the guide.php script. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user input through the id parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the application's database queries, potentially compromising the entire backend database system. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL execution statements, creating an avenue for unauthorized database access and manipulation.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability operates through the exploitation of improper input validation mechanisms within the ResearchGuide application. When a user submits a request containing an id parameter to guide.php, the application directly incorporates this parameter into SQL queries without appropriate filtering or sanitization measures. This allows attackers to craft malicious input that alters the intended execution flow of database queries, potentially enabling data extraction, modification, or deletion operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in software applications where untrusted data is embedded into SQL commands without proper escaping or parameterization. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication or privileged access, making it accessible to any remote user who can interact with the vulnerable web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing potential system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers could exploit this weakness to extract confidential data from the database, including user credentials, personal information, or proprietary research materials. The vulnerability also allows for privilege escalation attacks where malicious actors might gain administrative access to the database, enabling them to modify or delete critical information. Additionally, the compromised system could serve as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure, particularly if the database server hosts other interconnected systems. According to ATT&CK framework category T1190, this vulnerability represents a common entry point for adversaries seeking to establish persistent access through database exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2964 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before database interaction. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, particularly those handling database interactions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping web applications updated with the latest security patches, as ResearchGuide 0.5 appears to be an outdated version that likely contains additional unpatched vulnerabilities. Implementing proper database access controls and monitoring mechanisms can help detect unauthorized database activities, while comprehensive security training for development teams can prevent similar issues in future application development cycles.