CVE-2008-3238 in ITechBids
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in ITechBids 7.0 Gold allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the seller_id parameter in sellers_othersitem.php, (2) the productid parameter in classifieds.php, and (3) the id parameter in shop.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3238 represents a critical security flaw in ITechBids 7.0 Gold software, specifically targeting SQL injection attack vectors that enable remote code execution. This vulnerability affects multiple components within the application's web interface, creating multiple entry points for malicious actors to exploit database access controls. The affected parameters seller_id in sellers_othersitem.php, productid in classifieds.php, and id in shop.php all demonstrate the same fundamental weakness in input validation and query construction. These parameters are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, making them prime targets for attackers seeking to manipulate database operations and extract sensitive information. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied input within database query construction processes. When attackers provide malicious input through the identified parameters, the application fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before incorporating them into SQL statements. This allows attackers to inject additional SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account. The exploitation process typically involves crafting specially formatted input that terminates the existing SQL query and appends attacker-controlled commands. The impact extends beyond simple data retrieval to include potential database modification, deletion, or unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the application's backend systems. This vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient input validation and inadequate query parameterization that violates fundamental secure coding practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3238 is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to the entire database infrastructure supporting the ITechBids platform. Remote exploitation means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit these vulnerabilities, making them particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, including access to user credentials, personal information, transaction records, and other sensitive data. The vulnerability also provides attackers with potential persistence mechanisms through database manipulation, allowing them to maintain access even after initial exploitation. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage. The attack surface expands significantly when considering that these vulnerabilities affect core application functionality including user listings, product management, and shopping cart operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3238 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, specifically targeting the three identified vulnerable parameters. Developers should adopt prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from user data, eliminating the possibility of SQL injection through direct input concatenation. Additionally, comprehensive input sanitization should be implemented to filter out potentially malicious characters and patterns before any database interaction occurs. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and database user privilege management, ensuring that application database accounts have minimal required permissions. The remediation process should include thorough code review and penetration testing to identify additional potential SQL injection vulnerabilities within the application. Security monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious traffic at the network perimeter. These measures align with industry best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, addressing both the immediate vulnerability and establishing a foundation for ongoing security improvement.