CVE-2008-3556 in Battlenet Clan Script
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.php in Battle.net Clan Script 1.5.2 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) showmember parameter in a members action and the (2) thread parameter in a board action. NOTE: vector 1 might be the same as CVE-2008-2522.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3556 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Battle.net Clan Script 1.5.2 web application. This vulnerability exists in the index.php file and affects two distinct parameter inputs that handle user data processing. 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 query constructions. The affected parameters include the showmember parameter within the members action and the thread parameter within the board action, both of which are directly processed without proper security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted malicious input that manipulates the SQL query execution flow. When an attacker submits malicious data through either parameter, the application fails to sanitize the input before executing database operations, allowing the attacker to inject arbitrary SQL commands. This injection can potentially lead to unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete database compromise depending on the attacker's privileges and the underlying database configuration. The vulnerability manifests as a direct consequence of the application's failure to implement proper parameterized queries or input validation, which are fundamental security practices recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and CWE standards.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise potential. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive user information including passwords, personal details, and administrative credentials stored within the database. The attack vector allows for remote exploitation without requiring any special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services. Organizations using this software would face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query usage throughout the application. The recommended approach involves replacing all dynamic SQL query construction with parameterized queries or prepared statements that separate the SQL command structure from the user data. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization routines and output encoding can further reduce the attack surface. The application should also enforce proper access controls and implement proper error handling that does not expose database structure information to end users. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of all web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure that proper security controls are implemented across the entire application stack. Regular security updates and vulnerability management processes are essential to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities such as this one, which has been documented since 2008 and remains relevant for legacy systems that have not been properly updated or replaced.