CVE-2008-4046 in eliteCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in eliteCMS 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4046 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the eliteCMS 1.0 content management system, specifically affecting the index.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of the page parameter, which is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization measures. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the application's database queries, potentially compromising the entire backend infrastructure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications, making it a well-documented and severe security concern within the cybersecurity community.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the page parameter in the index.php script to inject malicious SQL payloads. The application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries, creating an attack surface where malicious commands can be executed with the privileges of the database user. This allows attackers to perform unauthorized operations such as data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by its remote nature, meaning attackers do not require physical access to the system to exploit it, and can target the application from any location on the internet.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple data theft, encompassing potential system takeover, data integrity compromise, and service disruption. Attackers can leverage this flaw to escalate privileges, bypass authentication mechanisms, or even gain shell access to the underlying server. The vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK tactics including TA0006 (Credential Access) and TA0005 (Defense Evasion) as attackers can extract credentials and then use them to further compromise the system. Organizations running eliteCMS 1.0 are particularly at risk since this vulnerability has been known since 2008 and likely remains unpatched in many legacy installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4046 must focus on immediate remediation through proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization techniques, including the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Additionally, web application firewalls should be deployed to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments are essential to identify similar flaws in other applications. The recommended approach aligns with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure coding practices, emphasizing the importance of input validation, output encoding, and proper database access controls. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.