CVE-2008-4355 in pForum
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in showprofil.php in Powie PSCRIPT Forum (aka PHP Forum or pForum) 1.30 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4355 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Powie PSCRIPT Forum version 1.30 and earlier, specifically affecting the showprofil.php script. This vulnerability resides in the forum software's handling of user input parameters, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The affected parameter is the 'id' parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands that execute within the database context of the application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the classic sql injection attack pattern where the 'id' parameter in showprofil.php is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper input filtering or parameterization. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application fails to distinguish between legitimate user data and sql command sequences, enabling the execution of unauthorized database operations. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which classifies sql injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental weakness in application input validation and query construction practices. The vulnerability permits attackers to perform read, write, and delete operations on the database, potentially leading to complete system compromise through data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or unauthorized modification of forum content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the forum's underlying database infrastructure. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract user credentials, personal information, forum configuration details, and potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the entire forum system. The implications are particularly severe for forum platforms that store sensitive user data, as this vulnerability could result in widespread data breaches affecting thousands of users. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (exploitation of known vulnerabilities) and T1071.004 (application layer protocol: dns) in cases where attackers might use the compromised system as a pivot point for further network exploration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4355 require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries within the showprofil.php script. The most effective remediation involves replacing direct parameter concatenation with prepared statements or stored procedures that separate sql command structure from data values. Organizations should also implement proper input sanitization routines that validate and filter all user-supplied data before processing, particularly focusing on sql metacharacters and special sequences. Additionally, the forum software should be updated to version 1.31 or later where this vulnerability has been patched, as the vendor released a security update addressing the specific sql injection flaw. Network segmentation and database access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system infrastructure.