CVE-2008-4055 in Million Pixel Script
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in tops_top.php in Million Pixel Ad Script (Million Pixel Script) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id_cat parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2025
The CVE-2008-4055 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Million Pixel Ad Script version 1.0, specifically affecting the tops_top.php component. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the id_cat parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The affected application fails to properly escape or filter special sql characters and keywords, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database queries. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as classified by CWE-20, which is a fundamental weakness in software design that enables attackers to inject malicious code into database operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a crafted id_cat parameter value that contains sql payload commands. The application processes this input directly within the sql query construction without proper parameterization or input sanitization, allowing the attacker to inject additional sql statements that execute with the privileges of the database user. This creates a pathway for unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic sql injection pattern where user-controllable input directly influences the sql execution context, enabling attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive information, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 for exploit public-facing applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-4055 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential access to the entire advertising database infrastructure. Depending on the database configuration and privileges assigned to the application user, successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or service disruption. The vulnerability affects web applications that rely on dynamic sql construction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database credentials are not properly isolated or where the application user has elevated privileges. Organizations running this version of the Million Pixel Ad Script are at risk of unauthorized access to advertising campaign data, user information, and potentially financial records associated with the ad platform. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that this vulnerability affects a widely deployed advertising script, increasing the potential impact across multiple organizations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4055 should prioritize immediate patching of the Million Pixel Ad Script to the latest available version that addresses this sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in other applications. The use of web application firewalls and sql injection detection mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection. Security teams should conduct comprehensive code reviews to identify other potential sql injection vulnerabilities within the application codebase. Database access controls should be implemented to limit the privileges of application database users, following the principle of least privilege. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify and remediate similar issues. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper sql query construction practices, aligning with security standards such as OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous sql query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.