CVE-2008-4356 in Kasseler
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Kasseler CMS 1.1.0 and 1.2.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the nid parameter to index.php in a View action to the News module; (2) the vid parameter to index.php in a Result action to the Voting module; (3) the fid parameter to index.php in a ShowForum action to the Forum module; (4) the tid parameter to index.php in a ShowTopic action to the Forum module; (5) the uname parameter to index.php in a UserInfo action to the Account module; or (6) the module parameter to index.php, probably related to the TopSites module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The CVE-2008-4356 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting Kasseler CMS versions 1.1.0 and 1.2.0, exposing multiple attack vectors that enable remote code execution through database manipulation. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, where improper input validation allows attackers to inject malicious SQL queries into the application's backend database. The flaw manifests across several modules including News, Voting, Forum, and Account modules, demonstrating a widespread design weakness in parameter handling throughout the CMS architecture. These vulnerabilities represent a fundamental breakdown in input sanitization and query construction practices that directly violates secure coding principles outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the Software Security Framework.
The technical exploitation occurs through six distinct parameter injection points that bypass proper input validation mechanisms within the CMS. Attackers can manipulate the nid parameter in News module's View action, vid parameter in Voting module's Result action, fid parameter in Forum module's ShowForum action, tid parameter in Forum module's ShowTopic action, uname parameter in Account module's UserInfo action, and module parameter likely in TopSites module's index.php handler. Each of these vectors represents a separate entry point where user-supplied data directly influences SQL query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. The vulnerability stems from the CMS's failure to properly escape or validate user inputs before incorporating them into database queries, creating a condition where malicious SQL commands can be executed with the privileges of the database user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise through database manipulation, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Remote attackers can leverage these injection points to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and administrative access details. The multi-module nature of the vulnerability increases the attack surface significantly, as exploitation in one module may provide attackers with additional footholds in other parts of the CMS. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) techniques, as the attack vector involves exploiting publicly accessible web applications. The vulnerability also aligns with T1005 (Data from Local System) and T1021.004 (Remote Services: SSH) in scenarios where database access leads to further system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4356 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the affected CMS modules. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, while also applying the official security patches released by Kasseler CMS developers. The recommended approach includes implementing proper input sanitization using prepared statements or parameterized queries, which directly addresses the root cause by preventing user input from being interpreted as SQL code. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database privilege management can limit the damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications, while implementing comprehensive logging and monitoring systems to detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of regular security updates in content management systems, particularly those with widespread public exposure.