CVE-2008-4303 in phpCollab
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in phpCollab 2.5 rc3, 2.4, and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the loginForm parameter to general/login.php, and unspecified other vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4303 represents a critical security flaw in phpCollab versions 2.5 rc3 and earlier, exposing the application to remote SQL injection attacks that can lead to complete system compromise. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the phpCollab authentication and data processing components, specifically affecting the general/login.php script where the loginForm parameter is processed without proper security controls. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through the loginForm parameter, potentially enabling unauthorized access to the database and full system control. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of phpCollab, indicating a widespread issue that was not properly addressed in the application's security architecture. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it directly targets the authentication mechanism, which serves as the primary gateway for user access to the system's resources and data.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability occurs when user input from the loginForm parameter is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can manipulate the loginForm parameter to inject malicious SQL syntax that bypasses authentication mechanisms and executes unauthorized database operations. This flaw operates at the application layer where user-supplied data flows directly into database queries, creating a path for attackers to extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even delete entire tables. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 as SQL Injection, which is a well-documented weakness in web applications that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input. The attack vector specifically targets the authentication process, making it particularly effective as it can bypass normal access controls and potentially provide attackers with administrative privileges within the phpCollab system.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-4303 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can result in complete data compromise, system infiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments where phpCollab is deployed. Organizations using affected versions of phpCollab face significant risks including data theft, unauthorized modifications to project management data, and potential use of the compromised system as a launching point for attacks on other network resources. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or network to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application is exposed to untrusted networks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS), as attackers can leverage the vulnerability through web-based attack vectors. The impact is compounded by the fact that phpCollab is often used for project management and collaboration, meaning that compromised systems could contain sensitive business data, intellectual property, and confidential project information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4303 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should upgrade to phpCollab versions that have been patched to address this vulnerability, as the original versions are no longer supported and lack security updates. The implementation of proper input sanitization techniques, including parameterized queries and prepared statements, should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and block exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in other applications and systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation as fundamental security controls that should be integrated into all application development processes, aligning with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework recommendations for preventing injection attacks.