CVE-2008-4369 in Photo Album
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in pics.php in Availscript Photo Album allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the sid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The CVE-2008-4369 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the availscript photo album application, specifically targeting the pics.php script. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database through maliciously crafted sql commands. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a widely used photo album management system that processes user input through the sid parameter, which serves as the primary interface for accessing specific photo albums within the application's database structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or validate the sid parameter before incorporating it into sql query construction. When a user submits a value through the sid parameter, the application directly concatenates this input into a sql statement without appropriate sanitization measures. This creates an environment where an attacker can inject malicious sql syntax that alters the intended query execution flow. The flaw aligns with common weakness enumeration cwe-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper escaping or parameterization. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input that includes sql payload sequences such as union select statements, or boolean based injection techniques that can extract sensitive database information or even execute destructive commands on the underlying database server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with extensive control over the application's database infrastructure. Successful exploitation could enable unauthorized access to user accounts, photo metadata, and potentially sensitive personal information stored within the photo album database. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This type of vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the mitre att&ck framework under the database access and data manipulation categories, where adversaries leverage injection flaws to gain elevated privileges and extract or modify sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4369 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query construction practices. The most effective remediation involves replacing direct string concatenation with prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate sql command structure from user data. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization routines, including character set validation and length restrictions for the sid parameter, can significantly reduce exploitation risk. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms to detect and block suspicious sql injection patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security standards such as those outlined in the owasp top ten project, which consistently ranks sql injection among the most critical web application security risks requiring immediate attention and remediation.