CVE-2008-3185 in Relative Real Estate Systems
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in Relative Real Estate Systems 3.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the listing_id parameter in a listings action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3185 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Relative Real Estate Systems version 3.0 and earlier, specifically affecting the index.php script when processing the listings action. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the listing_id parameter, which is processed without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries by injecting malicious SQL code directly through the web interface, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and proper parameterized query execution. When the listings action is invoked with a listing_id parameter, the application directly incorporates this value into SQL statements without appropriate escaping or sanitization measures. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as weaknesses in software that allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the database communication interface where user input is improperly handled, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any remote location without requiring authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary commands on the database server. This could result in complete database compromise, including unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion of listings, user accounts, and other sensitive real estate information. The attack surface is particularly concerning given the nature of real estate systems, which typically contain valuable personal and financial data. Attackers could potentially escalate privileges, gain access to administrative functions, or even use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure, making this vulnerability a significant threat to both data integrity and system availability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code, ensuring that all user-supplied input is properly sanitized before being incorporated into database operations. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, while also implementing the principle of least privilege for database accounts to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, making comprehensive security testing and regular vulnerability assessments essential components of any security program.