CVE-2008-4205 in Dolphin
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in search.php Attachmax Dolphin 2.1.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the category parameter in a Search action to index.php. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4205 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Attachmax Dolphin 2.1.0 content management system, specifically affecting the search functionality. This vulnerability resides in the search.php script and manifests when processing user input through the category parameter during Search actions directed to index.php. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries by injecting malicious SQL commands, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects versions up to and including 2.1.0, indicating a long-standing issue that was not adequately addressed in the software lifecycle. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input from the category parameter is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without appropriate input validation or sanitization measures. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that manipulate the SQL execution flow, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete database compromise. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it operates remotely without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the vulnerable system. This vulnerability demonstrates poor input handling practices and violates fundamental security principles of secure coding, specifically the principle of least privilege and input validation. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers could potentially escalate privileges, modify user accounts, or even execute operating system commands if the database server allows such operations through the SQL interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-4205 is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations running vulnerable versions of Attachmax Dolphin systems. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, leading to data loss, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential service disruption. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations if personal or proprietary data is exposed due to this vulnerability. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this weakness from anywhere on the internet, significantly expanding the attack surface and making defense more challenging. This vulnerability also impacts the overall security posture of the affected systems, potentially serving as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The long timeframe since its discovery indicates that many systems may still be running vulnerable versions, creating ongoing exposure windows for organizations that have not properly maintained their software updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4205 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that address this vulnerability, as the original software vendor has likely released patches. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks in all applications, particularly those handling user input. Web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for suspicious SQL patterns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications. The implementation of principle of least privilege for database accounts and proper access controls can limit the damage if exploitation occurs. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous SQL execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should follow the ATT&CK framework's guidance for database security, particularly focusing on techniques related to credential access and execution through database systems. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing robust input validation practices across all application components to prevent similar security incidents.