CVE-2008-3131 in pSys
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in chatbox.php in pSys 0.7.0 Alpha, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the showid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3131 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the pSys 0.7.0 Alpha content management system, specifically affecting the chatbox.php component. This vulnerability emerges from the application's failure to properly sanitize user input when the magic_quotes_gpc PHP configuration setting is disabled, creating an exploitable condition that enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters. The issue directly impacts the system's ability to distinguish between legitimate user data and malicious SQL commands, fundamentally compromising data integrity and system security.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the showid parameter within the chatbox.php script, where attacker-controlled input is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the application lacks automatic escaping of special characters that would normally prevent SQL injection attempts, leaving the system vulnerable to malicious input that can alter the intended execution flow of database queries. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation, as it exploits weaknesses in how the application processes user input for database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as remote attackers can potentially execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database system. This capability allows for unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, including the potential to escalate privileges within the database environment. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or system configuration details, while also potentially gaining persistence mechanisms within the application. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications exposed to public networks. The impact on system availability is also significant, as malicious actors could potentially cause database corruption or denial of service conditions through carefully crafted SQL injection payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3131 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to ensure that user-supplied data cannot alter the structure of SQL commands. Applications should utilize prepared statements or stored procedures with proper parameter binding mechanisms to prevent SQL injection regardless of PHP configuration settings. System administrators should also ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or implement application-level input sanitization as a defense-in-depth measure. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation flaws throughout the application codebase. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit potential exploitation scope, while also deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and maintaining up-to-date security configurations as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.