CVE-2008-3118 in PHPmotion
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in play.php in PHPmotion 2.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the vid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3118 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the phpmotion 2.0 content management system that affects versions prior to 2.0. This vulnerability resides in the play.php script and specifically targets the vid parameter which is used to handle video identification within the application. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious sql code through this parameter, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or executing arbitrary commands on the underlying database server. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection attacks where untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This weakness falls squarely within the attack pattern catalogued as attack technique T1190 in the mitre att&ck framework, which describes the exploitation of sql injection vulnerabilities to gain access to databases and extract sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the vid parameter is directly incorporated into sql queries without appropriate input validation or parameterized query construction. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input that alters the intended sql query structure, potentially allowing them to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract user credentials, modify database contents, or even execute system commands if the database server permits such operations. The impact is particularly severe given that phpmotion is a multimedia content management platform that likely stores user information, video metadata, and potentially sensitive operational data within its database. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can potentially access the entire database backend, leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, and complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local access or authentication to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3118 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential denial of service conditions. Organizations running affected versions of phpmotion face significant risks including unauthorized data access, modification of video content, user account takeover, and potential lateral movement within network environments if database credentials are not properly isolated. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in the exposure of personal user information, including email addresses, usernames, and potentially password hashes stored in the database. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with the broader category of injection flaws that commonly affect web applications and represents a fundamental failure in input sanitization practices. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the affected parameter vid is likely used in multiple contexts within the application, potentially amplifying the impact of a single successful exploitation attempt.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3118 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. Organizations should upgrade to phpmotion version 2.0 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization mechanisms. The recommended approach includes implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database interactions, particularly for parameters like vid that receive user input. Security measures should also include input length validation, character set filtering, and proper error handling to prevent information disclosure. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and database access controls should be reviewed to limit potential damage from successful exploitation, ensuring that database accounts used by phpmotion applications have minimal required privileges. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, particularly focusing on areas where user input is directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to ensure that the fixes do not introduce regressions in application functionality while maintaining the security posture against sql injection attacks.