CVE-2008-3713 in PHPBasket
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in product.php in PHPBasket allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the pro_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The CVE-2008-3713 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the PHPBasket web application that exposes remote attackers to potential command execution capabilities. This vulnerability specifically targets the product.php script where user input is improperly sanitized before being incorporated into sql query constructions. The pro_id parameter serves as the primary attack vector, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql code that bypasses normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper parameter handling within the application's database interaction layer, creating a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate underlying database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a fundamental weakness in application security where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. This flaw operates at the application layer where user-supplied data flows directly into database queries without adequate protection mechanisms such as prepared statements or proper input filtering. The attack surface is particularly dangerous because it allows for complete database compromise, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive information including user credentials, product data, and potentially system-level information. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation where the application fails to distinguish between legitimate user input and malicious sql payload construction.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe implications for organizations utilizing PHPBasket as their e-commerce solution. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to extract confidential data, modify product information, manipulate user accounts, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to potential system compromise, as successful sql injection attacks can provide attackers with database administrative capabilities. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to leverage the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for internet-facing applications. This weakness directly violates security principles outlined in the mitre ATT&CK framework under the database persistence and credential access tactics, where attackers can establish long-term access to database resources.
Effective mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The primary solution involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements throughout the application codebase to ensure that user input cannot alter the sql command structure. Input validation should be strengthened with whitelisting approaches for the pro_id parameter, rejecting any non-numeric or malformed values before database processing. Additionally, the application should implement proper error handling that prevents sql error messages from being exposed to end users, as these can provide valuable information to attackers. Security hardening measures should include restricting database user privileges to the minimum necessary for application functionality, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious sql patterns, and conducting regular security code reviews to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also establish comprehensive monitoring systems to detect anomalous database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process must be thorough and include testing to ensure that the fix does not introduce new functionality issues while effectively closing the security gap identified in this vulnerability.