CVE-2008-4082 in Brim
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Tasks plugin in Brim 2.0.0, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via an arbitrary field in a search action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4082 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Tasks plugin of Brim version 2.0.0. This security weakness specifically manifests when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, creating an environment where malicious input can bypass standard sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability occurs during search operations within the index.php file, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL query constructions without adequate validation or escaping. This particular configuration aspect makes the application susceptible to exploitation by authenticated users who possess valid credentials, as they can manipulate search parameters to inject malicious SQL code. The flaw resides in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries, which constitutes a classic example of insecure data handling practices in web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the Tasks plugin's search functionality. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, PHP does not automatically escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data, leaving the application to handle sanitization manually. Attackers can exploit this by crafting search queries that contain SQL injection payloads within arbitrary fields, which are then processed by the vulnerable plugin. The search action in index.php serves as the attack vector where user input flows directly into database operations without proper parameterization or escaping. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without adequate protection mechanisms. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it leverages authenticated access, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials, but once achieved, can execute arbitrary database commands with the privileges of the authenticated user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it enables full database compromise and potential lateral movement within affected systems. An authenticated attacker can execute commands such as SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE operations against the underlying database, potentially leading to complete data loss, unauthorized data access, or even system compromise. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of all data processed through the Tasks plugin, including user information, task records, and potentially sensitive system data. From an attacker perspective, this represents a significant escalation opportunity as it allows for privilege escalation and persistence within the application environment. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical sophistication and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application serves as a central component of business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4082 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Brim that addresses this vulnerability, as the original software version contains fundamental design flaws in input handling. Organizations should also consider implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements throughout the application to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. The configuration management approach should include ensuring that magic_quotes_gpc is properly enabled or that alternative input sanitization mechanisms are implemented when this feature is disabled. Security hardening measures should also include implementing proper access controls, input validation, and output encoding to prevent injection attacks. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer attacks, emphasizing the need for robust input validation and sanitization. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems.