CVE-2008-3783 in Matterdaddy Market
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.php in Matterdaddy Market 1.1, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) category and (2) type parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3783 affects Matterdaddy Market 1.1, a web application that manages online marketplaces and e-commerce functionalities. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the application's index.php script, which processes user-supplied data through HTTP parameters. The flaw becomes particularly dangerous when the web server's magic_quotes_gpc directive is disabled, removing a crucial automatic sanitization layer that would otherwise protect against malicious input injection. The vulnerability impacts two specific parameters within the application's request handling mechanism, namely the category and type parameters, which are directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through SQL injection attacks that leverage the absence of input validation controls in the index.php script. When attackers submit malicious input through the category or type parameters, the application directly concatenates these values into SQL query strings without proper escaping or parameterization. This creates an exploitable condition where attackers can manipulate the database query structure to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database system. The vulnerability maps to CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications, and represents a classic example of insecure data handling practices in web applications. The absence of magic_quotes_gpc further compounds the risk by eliminating the automatic escaping of special characters that would normally prevent the injection of malicious SQL syntax.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or manipulation, potentially enabling complete database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential data including user credentials, personal information, transaction records, and other proprietary business data stored within the application's database. The vulnerability also permits attackers to modify or delete database records, potentially causing significant operational disruption and financial loss. Furthermore, successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation within the database system, allowing attackers to execute administrative commands or gain access to additional system resources. This vulnerability represents a critical security risk for e-commerce platforms where user data protection and transaction integrity are paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3783 should focus on implementing robust input validation and parameterized query mechanisms within the Matterdaddy Market application. The most effective immediate solution involves enabling proper input sanitization through the use of prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from user data. Organizations should also ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or implement alternative input validation measures when this directive is disabled. Security hardening practices include disabling unnecessary database permissions, implementing proper access controls, and establishing comprehensive monitoring for suspicious database activities. Additionally, the application should be updated to a newer version of Matterdaddy Market that addresses these security flaws, as the vulnerability represents an outdated security implementation that lacks modern protection mechanisms. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth layers, though they should not replace proper application-level security controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for preventing injection vulnerabilities.