CVE-2008-4161 in Assetman
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in search_inv.php in Assetman 2.5b allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands and conduct session fixation attacks via a combination of crafted order and order_by parameters in a search_all action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4161 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Assetman 2.5b asset management system, specifically affecting the search_inv.php component. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution risks and session manipulation attacks through carefully crafted input parameters. The flaw manifests when the application processes search_all actions with manipulated order and order_by parameters, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the backend database query execution flow. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data extraction to potentially full system compromise, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive organizational assets.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a code injection technique where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The flaw occurs in the input validation layer of the Assetman application, where the search_inv.php script fails to properly escape or sanitize user-supplied order and order_by parameters before incorporating them into database queries. This weakness creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the SQL execution context and execute unauthorized commands against the underlying database system. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be accomplished through standard web application attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in environments where asset management systems contain sensitive organizational data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Assetman 2.5b for asset tracking and management. The combination of SQL injection capabilities with session fixation vulnerabilities creates a dual threat that can lead to complete system compromise and data breaches. Attackers could potentially extract confidential asset information, modify inventory records, or establish persistent access points within the organization's infrastructure. The session fixation aspect further amplifies the threat by allowing attackers to hijack user sessions and maintain prolonged access to the system. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations with asset management systems containing sensitive data, as it could enable unauthorized access to critical infrastructure information and potentially lead to broader security incidents within the enterprise network.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4161 must address both the SQL injection and session fixation components of the vulnerability. Organizations should immediately implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or sanitized before database interaction. The application should utilize prepared statements and stored procedures to eliminate the risk of malicious SQL command execution. Additionally, session management should be strengthened through proper session regeneration after authentication and implementation of secure session handling mechanisms to prevent session fixation attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1190 indicates that it falls within the category of exploitation for code execution, making comprehensive network monitoring and access control measures essential for defense-in-depth. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.