CVE-2008-3418 in TriO
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in browse.php in TriO 2.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3418 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the TriO content management system version 2.1 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the browse.php script which processes user input through the id parameter, creating an exploitable pathway for remote attackers to manipulate database queries. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL command structures. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account associated with the TriO application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic SQL injection attack pattern where the attacker manipulates the id parameter to alter the intended SQL query execution flow. When the application processes the malicious input, it concatenates the user-provided data directly into the SQL statement without proper sanitization, enabling attackers to inject additional SQL clauses such as UNION statements, comments, or administrative commands. This flaw falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a high-severity vulnerability in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog and represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication or privileged access, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited from anywhere on the internet.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or manipulation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the database backend. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and system configurations. The vulnerability also permits attackers to modify or delete database content, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data loss. In a broader security context, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 for exploit for client execution, as it represents a fundamental weakness in the application's data handling that can be leveraged for further attacks within the network infrastructure. Organizations running affected versions of TriO face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to the exposure of sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3418 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent user input from being interpreted as SQL commands. Organizations should upgrade to TriO version 2.2 or later, which includes patches addressing this vulnerability. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls, implementing proper database access controls, and establishing regular security auditing procedures can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The implementation of prepared statements and stored procedures, combined with input sanitization techniques, provides robust protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate other potential injection points within the application stack, ensuring that the entire system architecture maintains adequate defense-in-depth principles.