CVE-2008-3245 in phpHoo3
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in phpHoo3.php in phpHoo3 4.3.9, 4.3.10, 4.4.8, and 5.2.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the viewCat parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3245 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the phpHoo3 content management system version 4.3.9, 4.3.10, 4.4.8, and 5.2.6. This vulnerability resides in the phpHoo3.php script and specifically targets the viewCat parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious input manipulation. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary sql commands directly into the application's database layer, potentially compromising the entire system. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89, which categorizes sql injection as a fundamental security flaw that enables attackers to manipulate database queries through unvalidated user input.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input for the viewCat parameter that gets directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. When phpHoo3 processes this parameter, it constructs sql statements that include the attacker's input, allowing for command injection that can execute unauthorized database operations. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include complete database compromise, privilege escalation, and potential system infiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information, modify database content, delete records, or even gain administrative access to the underlying database system.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3245 is severe and multifaceted, particularly given that phpHoo3 was a widely used content management system in the late 2000s. Organizations running affected versions faced immediate risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system. This vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the mitre ATT&CK framework under the database persistence and credential access tactics, where attackers can establish long-term access and escalate privileges through database manipulation. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions indicates a systemic flaw in the application's input handling mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3245 require immediate action including upgrading to patched versions of phpHoo3, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries, and applying web application firewalls to filter malicious sql payloads. Organizations should also implement database access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized sql activity. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input sanitization, as outlined in industry standards such as the owasp top ten and the iso/iec 27001 security framework. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar flaws in other applications, as sql injection remains one of the most prevalent and dangerous vulnerabilities in web applications. The remediation process should include thorough code review to ensure all user inputs are properly validated and escaped before database interaction.