CVE-2008-3153 in CMS Pro
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Triton CMS Pro allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the X-Forwarded-For HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3153 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Triton CMS Pro version 3.1.2 and earlier, demonstrating a significant weakness in web application security that enables remote code execution through improperly validated input. This vulnerability specifically targets the X-Forwarded-For HTTP header, which is commonly used by web applications to determine the original IP address of a client when requests pass through proxy servers or load balancers. The flaw arises from the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied data from this header before incorporating it into SQL database queries, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's insecure handling of HTTP headers, where the X-Forwarded-For value is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without appropriate input sanitization or parameterized query construction. This design flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, and aligns with the ATT&CK framework's T1190 technique for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. The vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to manipulate the HTTP header to include malicious SQL syntax that gets executed by the database engine, potentially enabling full database compromise, data exfiltration, or unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the CMS.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise and persistent access to the affected web application. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute commands with the privileges of the database user account, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data manipulation, or even complete system takeover. The remote nature of this attack vector means that threat actors can exploit the vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the network or system. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in production environments where Triton CMS Pro systems may be handling sensitive user data, business information, or personal identifiable information that could be accessed or modified by unauthorized parties.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3153 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized query execution throughout the application codebase. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to a non-vulnerable version of Triton CMS Pro, as the vulnerability exists in versions prior to 3.1.3. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious HTTP headers, configuring proper access controls to limit database user privileges, and implementing input sanitization routines that specifically validate and escape data from HTTP headers before database interaction. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems and regular security scanning should also be employed to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices, particularly the principle of least privilege and proper input validation, as outlined in industry standards including OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for web application security.