CVE-2008-4186 in webCMS Portal Edition
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in webCMS Portal Edition allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id_doc parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4186 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the webCMS Portal Edition software, specifically affecting the index.php script. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution risks through manipulation of the id_doc parameter, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing this content management system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the web application's database interaction mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a persistent weakness in software applications where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization. The id_doc parameter serves as the attack vector where malicious actors can inject SQL commands that bypass authentication mechanisms and potentially gain unauthorized access to the underlying database. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when developers concatenate user input directly into SQL statements rather than employing prepared statements or parameterized queries, which are standard defensive measures recommended by OWASP and other security frameworks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to perform full database compromise operations including data modification, deletion, or unauthorized access to sensitive information. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this weakness from any location without requiring physical access to the target system. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that handle document management and content delivery, making it attractive to attackers seeking to compromise enterprise content management systems. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that many organizations rely on portal editions for their internal and external web presence, potentially exposing critical business data.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process requires comprehensive code review to identify all parameters susceptible to injection attacks and implementation of proper input sanitization techniques. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in their web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1190 technique for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, emphasizing the need for robust application security controls and regular security updates to prevent exploitation. Additionally, organizations must ensure proper access controls and database permissions are implemented to limit the potential damage from successful SQL injection attacks, as recommended by NIST cybersecurity guidelines and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for information security management.