CVE-2008-3497 in MyPHP CMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in pages.php in MyPHP CMS 0.3.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the pid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3497 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the MyPHP CMS version 0.3.1, specifically affecting the pages.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the pid parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the application's database queries, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure and underlying system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the pages.php script where the pid parameter is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without appropriate escaping or parameterization techniques. This design flaw allows attackers to manipulate the SQL execution flow by injecting malicious payload strings that alter the intended query behavior. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a severe weakness in application security where untrusted data is directly concatenated into SQL commands without proper sanitization. Attackers can exploit this weakness to execute unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, deletion, or even privilege escalation within the database system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with extensive control over the CMS database and potentially the underlying server. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, allowing unauthorized users to access sensitive information, modify content, or establish persistent backdoors within the web application. The remote nature of this attack vector means that adversaries can exploit the vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring local system access or prior authentication. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by automated scanning tools and botnets to identify and compromise vulnerable systems at scale, representing a significant threat to web application security and data integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3497 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected MyPHP CMS version 0.3.1 to address the input validation deficiencies. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks, ensuring that all user inputs are properly escaped or validated before being processed in database operations. Additionally, input validation should be enforced at multiple layers including application-level filtering, database-level access controls, and network-level intrusion detection systems. Security measures should also include regular vulnerability assessments, web application firewalls, and monitoring for suspicious database access patterns. The remediation approach should align with industry best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically addressing the SQL injection techniques categorized under T1190 and T1071. Organizations must also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for database connections and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future software versions.