CVE-2008-4347 in pNews
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in newskom.php in Powie pNews 2.03 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the newsid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4347 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the powie pnews 2.03 content management system specifically affecting the newskom.php script. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the newsid parameter, which is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied data within database operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database queries through crafted input values.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize the newsid parameter before incorporating it into sql statements. When an attacker submits a malicious value through the newsid parameter, the application processes this input directly within sql query construction, allowing for sql command injection attacks. This weakness aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a fundamental flaw in application security where untrusted data is embedded into sql queries without proper sanitization. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the system, potentially enabling attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute unauthorized database operations.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to system integrity and data confidentiality as remote attackers can leverage the sql injection to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database. Attackers may gain access to sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and system configuration details stored within the database. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers can potentially modify or delete database records, escalate privileges within the application, and in some cases gain shell access to the underlying server through database exploitation techniques. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in applications to gain unauthorized access to systems and data.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical skill and can be accomplished through standard sql injection attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with varying levels of expertise. Mitigation strategies must focus on implementing proper input validation, parameterized queries, and input sanitization techniques to prevent the injection of malicious sql code. Organizations should immediately implement patches provided by the vendor, apply proper sql query parameterization, and conduct comprehensive security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities within their application codebase. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts while maintaining proper access controls and database user permissions to limit the potential impact of successful attacks.