CVE-2008-4173 in ProArcadeScript
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in ProArcadeScript 1.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the random parameter to the default URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4173 represents a critical sql injection flaw within ProArcadeScript version 1.3, a web-based arcade gaming platform that was widely used in 2008. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user input through the random parameter in the default URI, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter malicious sql commands submitted by unauthorized users. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 sql injection, which is a well-documented weakness that allows attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the database server. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it can enable complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and potentially full system control when combined with other exploitation techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes user-supplied input through the random parameter without proper sanitization. Attackers can craft malicious sql payloads that get directly incorporated into sql queries executed by the backend database. This allows for unauthorized access to sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and system configuration details. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require local system access or physical proximity to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. The attack vector specifically targets the default URI endpoint, suggesting that the vulnerability affects the core application functionality rather than specific administrative or user-facing features. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol and T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, indicating that it represents a common attack pattern targeting web application interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to perform unauthorized data manipulation, retrieval, and deletion operations. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, leading to data breaches affecting all users of the affected ProArcadeScript installations. The vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges, gain persistent access to the database, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. Organizations using this version of ProArcadeScript would face significant security risks including regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the application's data, representing a fundamental breakdown in the application's security architecture. Given that ProArcadeScript was designed for online gaming environments, the compromised data could include user accounts, game progress information, and potentially payment-related data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4173 should prioritize immediate patching and input validation improvements. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks, ensuring that user input is never directly concatenated into sql commands. Input validation and sanitization should be implemented at multiple levels including application, network, and database layers. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by configuring database accounts with minimal required permissions and implementing proper access controls. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers against exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping software updated and following secure coding practices such as those recommended in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Organizations should also implement proper monitoring and logging to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to address successful attacks. Given the age of this vulnerability, it is crucial that organizations using legacy ProArcadeScript installations either upgrade to supported versions or implement comprehensive compensating controls to prevent exploitation.