CVE-2008-3133 in BareNuked
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in admin/index.php in BareNuked CMS 1.1.0, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the password parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3133 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the BareNuked Content Management System version 1.1.0. This weakness specifically affects the administrative interface component located at admin/index.php, creating a significant security risk for systems utilizing this particular CMS version. The vulnerability manifests when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. This configuration setting, when turned off, leaves applications more susceptible to injection attacks as input validation becomes the sole defense mechanism.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the password parameter within the administrative login interface. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before incorporating it into SQL query structures. This omission allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the database context, potentially enabling full database compromise. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is embedded into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The attack vector operates entirely through HTTP requests, making it accessible to remote adversaries without requiring local system access or elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, database schemas, and potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. The implications for organizations using BareNuked CMS 1.1.0 are severe, as the vulnerability enables attackers to perform actions such as creating new administrative accounts, modifying existing user privileges, accessing confidential data, and potentially executing arbitrary code on the database server. This represents a fundamental breach of the application's integrity and confidentiality, undermining the core security assumptions of the system's data protection mechanisms.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of SQL injection attacks to gain access to database systems and extract sensitive information. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects the administrative interface, which typically holds the highest privileges within a CMS environment. Organizations should consider implementing multiple layers of defense including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper access controls to mitigate such risks. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of BareNuked CMS or implementing proper input sanitization techniques that do not rely on magic_quotes_gpc, which is deprecated in modern PHP versions. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring for unusual database access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the dangers of relying on deprecated security mechanisms that may not provide adequate protection in modern threat environments.