CVE-2008-3867 in Interact
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in spaces/emailuser.php in Interact 2.4.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the email_user_key parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3867 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Interact 2.4.1 web application, specifically affecting the spaces/emailuser.php script. This vulnerability resides in the email_user_key parameter handling mechanism, which fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations by injecting malicious SQL code through the vulnerable parameter, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous as they can be exploited from remote locations without requiring authentication or prior access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and query construction practices within the Interact application. When the email_user_key parameter is processed, the application directly concatenates user-supplied data into SQL statements without appropriate escaping or parameterization techniques. This violates fundamental security principles for database interaction and creates an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled input can alter the intended execution flow of SQL commands. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications, and represents a classic example of insecure direct object reference or improper input sanitization patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain comprehensive access to the application's database backend. Attackers might extract sensitive user information, modify account credentials, or even escalate privileges within the system. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly attractive for automated exploitation campaigns. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, as the attack leverages standard web application interfaces to achieve its objectives.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3867 should prioritize immediate patching of the Interact 2.4.1 application to address the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations must implement proper input validation and parameterized query mechanisms throughout their applications to prevent similar issues. The recommended approach involves using prepared statements or stored procedures that separate SQL code from user data, thereby eliminating the possibility of malicious input being interpreted as executable SQL commands. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire application portfolio. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of adhering to secure coding practices and maintaining up-to-date security patches to protect against persistent threats in web application environments.