CVE-2008-3945 in Words Tag Script
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in Words tag 1.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the word parameter in a claim action.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3945 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the words tag 1.2 web application, specifically targeting the index.php script. This vulnerability exists in the handling of user input during claim actions, where the word parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into sql queries. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql code directly through the web interface, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure.
This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a severe security flaw occurring when user-supplied data is directly concatenated into sql commands without proper sanitization. The attack vector specifically targets the claim action functionality where user input flows directly into database operations, creating an ideal environment for malicious sql command execution. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate parameterization of sql queries, which are fundamental security principles that should be implemented in all database-driven applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands on the affected system, potentially leading to complete database compromise. Attackers could extract sensitive information, modify or delete data, create new user accounts with administrative privileges, or even escalate their access to the underlying operating system. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications handling sensitive data. This vulnerability directly aligns with attack techniques documented in the attack pattern taxonomy under the sql injection category.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries. All user-supplied data must be sanitized and validated before being processed by any sql operations, with strict type checking and length restrictions applied to the word parameter. The application should implement prepared statements or parameterized queries to separate sql code from data, preventing malicious input from being interpreted as sql commands. Additionally, the system should implement proper access controls and least privilege principles, ensuring that database connections used by the web application have minimal required permissions. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, while implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious sql injection attempts. Organizations should also maintain up-to-date security patches and follow secure coding practices as outlined in industry standards such as owasp top ten and iso 27001 security frameworks.