CVE-2008-2996 in Gravity Board X
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.php in Gravity Board X (GBX) 2.0 Beta, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) searchquery parameter in a getsearch action, and the (2) board_id parameter in a viewboard action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2996 affects Gravity Board X version 2.0 Beta, specifically targeting the index.php script through multiple SQL injection vectors. This critical security flaw exploits the absence of proper input validation mechanisms when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, creating an environment where malicious actors can manipulate database queries through carefully crafted user inputs. The vulnerability manifests in two distinct attack vectors that target different functional areas of the application's web interface.
The first SQL injection vector occurs through the searchquery parameter within the getsearch action, while the second vector targets the board_id parameter during the viewboard action. Both attack paths allow remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code that bypasses normal input sanitization measures. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the application fails to automatically escape special characters in user-supplied data, making it susceptible to manipulation of database queries. This vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper escaping or parameterization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary database commands with the privileges of the database user account. Attackers could potentially extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and system configurations. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access to backend systems.
The technical implementation of this attack requires minimal sophistication as it leverages the fundamental weakness in input handling rather than requiring complex exploitation techniques. Attackers can construct malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable application, alter the intended SQL query execution flow. The lack of proper input validation creates a persistent risk that remains viable until the underlying code is patched or the vulnerable configuration is corrected. Organizations using Gravity Board X 2.0 Beta should immediately implement mitigations including disabling magic_quotes_gpc or implementing proper input sanitization and parameterized queries. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and the dangerous consequences that arise from relying on server configuration settings rather than robust application-level security controls.