CVE-2008-3887 in dotProject
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.php in dotProject 2.1.2 allow (1) remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the tab parameter in a projects action, and (2) remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the user_id parameter in a viewuser action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3887 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the dotProject 2.1.2 web application framework that affects the index.php file. This vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit improper input validation mechanisms within the application's parameter handling. The flaw enables authenticated users to manipulate database queries through the tab parameter during projects actions and administrators to execute malicious SQL commands via the user_id parameter during viewuser actions. These attack vectors demonstrate a fundamental lack of proper parameter sanitization and input validation that allows attackers to bypass normal application security controls and directly interact with the underlying database infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query constructs. When the tab parameter is processed in projects actions, the application directly concatenates user input into database queries without adequate sanitization measures. Similarly, the user_id parameter in viewuser actions suffers from the same deficiency, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL payloads that can manipulate the database structure or extract sensitive information. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into query statements, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. The authentication requirement for exploitation indicates this is not a direct public exploit but rather a privilege escalation vulnerability that can be leveraged by authenticated users to gain deeper access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-3887 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential system infiltration. Attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands that may allow them to extract user credentials, modify database records, create new user accounts, or even escalate privileges to administrative levels within the application. The vulnerability affects both regular users and administrators, meaning that a compromised low-privilege account could potentially be used to escalate to full administrative control. This represents a significant risk to organizational security as it allows attackers to manipulate the application's data layer and potentially use the compromised system as a foothold for further attacks. The impact is particularly severe in environments where dotProject is used for project management and collaboration, as it could expose sensitive business information, project details, and user data to unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements within the application architecture. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application to prevent user input from being directly incorporated into SQL statements. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of dotProject 2.1.2 or migrate to a more recent version that addresses these SQL injection vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization measures can provide additional layers of protection. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar injection flaws in other application components, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards for application security controls.