CVE-2008-3374 in Gregarius
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in ajax.php in Gregarius 0.5.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the rsargs array parameter in an __exp__getFeedContent action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3374 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Gregarius feed reader application version 0.5.4 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the ajax.php script which serves as a frontend interface for handling asynchronous requests within the application. The flaw manifests when the application processes the rsargs array parameter within the __exp__getFeedContent action, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the backend database. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-89 sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration framework, which catalogs software security weaknesses and provides standardized classifications for identifying and mitigating such issues.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the ajax.php script. When the application receives the rsargs parameter through the __exp__getFeedContent action, it fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into sql query construction. This allows attackers to manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql syntax that can bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute system commands depending on the underlying database configuration. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local system access or authentication credentials to leverage the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable full database compromise and potential system takeover. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, extract confidential information such as usernames, passwords, and personal data stored within the application's database, or modify feed configurations to redirect users to malicious content. The vulnerability affects all versions of Gregarius up to and including 0.5.4, representing a significant security gap that could be exploited across multiple installations. Given that this was a widespread vulnerability in a popular feed reader application, the potential attack surface was substantial, particularly in environments where the application was used for aggregating content from multiple sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Gregarius beyond 0.5.4, as the vulnerability was resolved through proper input validation and parameter sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that escape special sql characters and employ prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. Additionally, the application should enforce proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to limit the impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Security practitioners should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious sql injection patterns. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework as part of the credential access and defense evasion techniques highlights the need for comprehensive security monitoring and response procedures to detect and mitigate such attacks effectively.