CVE-2008-3213 in WebCMS Portal Edition
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in secciones/tablon/tablon.php in WebCMS Portal Edition allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter to portal/index.php in a tablon action. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3213 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the WebCMS Portal Edition web application, specifically affecting the secciones/tablon/tablon.php component. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user input within the tablon action of the portal/index.php script, where the id parameter is processed without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the application's database query execution flow, potentially compromising the entire backend database system.
This SQL injection vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The attack vector operates through the tablon action parameter, where an attacker can manipulate the id parameter to inject malicious SQL payloads. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary SQL command execution, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require local system access or physical proximity to the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise and potentially full system control. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, or deletion, potentially affecting the integrity and availability of the web application's data. The vulnerability's presence in the portal/index.php script suggests that the entire tablon functionality could be compromised, affecting multiple users and potentially exposing sensitive organizational information. According to ATT&CK framework category T1190, this represents a database injection technique that can be used to escalate privileges and maintain persistence within the target environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks, along with comprehensive input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied data. The web application should enforce proper access controls and implement proper error handling to prevent information leakage that could aid attackers in crafting successful payloads. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities throughout the application codebase. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process must include thorough code review of all database interaction points and implementation of proper security coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future development cycles.