CVE-2008-4348 in PHPortfolio
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in photo.php in PHPortfolio, possibly 1.3, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4348 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the PHPortfolio photo.php script, specifically affecting version 1.3 and potentially earlier iterations of the application. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user input through the id parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands directly into the database query execution chain, potentially compromising the entire backend database infrastructure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection attacks where untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper escaping or parameterization techniques. The attack vector is remote, meaning that an attacker does not require physical access to the system but can exploit the vulnerability through network-based interactions with the vulnerable web application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into sql queries. When the id parameter is passed to the photo.php script, the application directly concatenates this value into a sql statement without employing parameterized queries or proper input validation. This creates an environment where an attacker can manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql syntax through the id parameter. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for complete database compromise, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive information, modify or delete data, and in some cases gain elevated privileges within the database system. The attack surface is broad since the id parameter is likely used in various database operations such as SELECT, UPDATE, or DELETE statements, making the exploitation impact highly significant.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to all data stored within the phpportfoli database, including user credentials, personal information, and potentially sensitive business data. The vulnerability also provides a potential foothold for further attacks, as database credentials are often reused across systems or contain administrative privileges that could enable privilege escalation. According to the mitre att&ck framework, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including t1071.004 for application layer protocol and t1046 for network service scanning, as attackers typically probe for such vulnerabilities before executing more sophisticated attacks. The impact is particularly severe for web applications that rely on phpportfoli for content management or user interaction, as the compromise of such systems can lead to complete service disruption and data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4348 must focus on immediate remediation of the input validation and query construction processes within the photo.php script. The most effective approach involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements that separate sql code from user data, thereby preventing the injection of malicious sql commands. Additionally, comprehensive input validation should be implemented to reject any input that contains sql metacharacters or patterns, and all user-supplied data should be properly escaped before database insertion. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious sql injection patterns and maintain regular security assessments of their web applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in owasp top ten and the corresponding cwe guidelines, particularly focusing on proper input handling and output encoding. Regular patching and updating of web applications is essential, as this vulnerability existed in versions up to 1.3 and likely affected numerous installations without proper security updates. System administrators should also implement monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain detailed audit trails of database access patterns to identify unauthorized activities.