CVE-2008-3063 in V-webmail
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in login.php in V-webmail 1.5.0 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the username parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3063 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the V-webmail 1.5.0 email client system. This vulnerability specifically targets the login.php script which serves as the primary authentication interface for users accessing their email accounts. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The username parameter in the login.php script becomes the attack vector where malicious actors can inject specially crafted SQL commands that bypass normal authentication procedures and gain unauthorized access to the underlying database infrastructure.
This vulnerability operates under the well-established Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities in software applications. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the database query execution flow by exploiting improper input handling in the web application's authentication layer. When a user submits a username containing malicious SQL payload, the application processes this input without adequate sanitization, allowing the injected commands to execute within the database context with the privileges of the web application's database user account. The attack can potentially lead to complete database compromise, user credential theft, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive email communications stored within the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the backend database. This opens the door for various malicious activities including but not limited to reading sensitive user information, modifying database records, creating new user accounts with administrative privileges, and potentially escalating the attack to compromise the entire web application server. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for email hosting services that may serve numerous users. According to the attack technique framework, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes exploitation of remote services through injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3063 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent malicious SQL code from being executed. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of V-webmail or apply the appropriate security fixes provided by the vendor. Input sanitization mechanisms must be strengthened to filter out potentially dangerous characters and sequences that could be used in SQL injection attacks. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database query logging can help detect and prevent unauthorized database access attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring systems can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks while ensuring that proper security practices are maintained throughout the application lifecycle.