CVE-2008-3191 in mForum
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in usercp.php in mForum 0.1a, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) City, (2) Interest, (3) Email, (4) Icq, (5) msn, or (6) Yahoo Messenger field in an edit_profile action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3191 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the mForum 0.1a web application, specifically targeting the usercp.php script. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's profile editing functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through user-controlled parameters. The flaw is particularly dangerous when the server configuration has magic_quotes_gpc disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters that would otherwise provide basic protection against such attacks. The vulnerability affects six distinct fields within the edit_profile action, including City, Interest, Email, Icq, msn, and Yahoo Messenger, all of which are processed without adequate sanitization, making them potential attack vectors for SQL injection exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which classifies SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper validation or escaping. Attackers can exploit this by injecting malicious SQL payloads into any of the vulnerable fields, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary database commands with the privileges of the web application's database user. The attack surface is broad as it encompasses multiple user profile fields, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. When an attacker successfully injects SQL code through one of these fields, they can potentially extract sensitive data, modify database records, delete information, or even escalate privileges within the database system. The vulnerability's exploitation is particularly effective against older web applications like mForum 0.1a that lack modern security measures such as prepared statements or proper input validation frameworks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially leading to identity theft, data breaches, and unauthorized modifications to user profiles. The vulnerability also enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations, including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving SQL injection and credential access, allowing adversaries to establish persistent access and maintain control over compromised systems. The impact is particularly severe for forums containing sensitive user information, as the vulnerability can expose personal details, communication data, and potentially authentication credentials stored within the database.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL queries. This includes using parameterized queries or prepared statements, which separate SQL code from data, effectively preventing injection attacks. Organizations should also implement proper output encoding and validation mechanisms, ensuring that any user input is properly escaped before being processed. Additionally, disabling magic_quotes_gpc is not recommended as a security measure, as it creates a false sense of security and leaves applications vulnerable to injection attacks. The recommended approach is to implement robust input validation at multiple layers, including application-level filtering, database-level protections, and regular security audits. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns and provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts.