CVE-2008-3965 in MyBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in misc.php in MyBB (aka MyBulletinBoard) before 1.4.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a certain editor field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3965 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the MyBB bulletin board system, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.4.1. This vulnerability resides in the misc.php script and manifests through improper input validation of editor fields, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute unauthorized sql commands against the underlying database. The flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data that flows into sql query constructs, allowing malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted input sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic sql injection pattern where user-controllable parameters are directly incorporated into sql statements without proper escaping or parameterization. In the context of MyBB's misc.php file, when an editor field processes user input, the application fails to adequately filter or escape special sql characters and commands. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql fragments that get executed within the database context, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The vulnerability specifically targets the editor field functionality, which suggests that the flaw occurs during the processing of content submission or editing operations where user input is expected and processed.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems running affected MyBB versions, as it enables remote code execution capabilities through database manipulation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive data including user credentials, personal information, and system configuration details. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to privilege escalation within the database environment. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 sql injection weakness and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services through sql injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3965 primarily focus on immediate patching of the MyBB application to version 1.4.1 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures including proper parameterized queries, input length restrictions, and character set filtering to prevent malicious sql sequences from being processed. Database access controls should be reviewed and restricted to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against sql injection attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security audits of web applications should include thorough input validation reviews to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system.