CVE-2008-4375 in Classmate Script
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in viewprofile.php in Availscript Classmate Script allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the p parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4375 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Availscript Classmate Script application, specifically affecting the viewprofile.php component. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user input through the p parameter, which serves as a direct entry point for malicious SQL commands. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries by injecting malicious SQL syntax, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and proper parameter sanitization, allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and access sensitive data stored within the application's database.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the standard SQL injection attack pattern where the p parameter in viewprofile.php fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application processes the input without adequate sanitization, resulting in the execution of unintended SQL commands. This flaw falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a high-risk vulnerability in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the vulnerable application. The vulnerability is further characterized by its ability to potentially allow data manipulation, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and in severe cases, complete database compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-4375 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary commands on the database server. This vulnerability can result in unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The affected Availscript Classmate Script application likely stores user profiles, personal information, and other sensitive data, making the database a prime target for malicious actors. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target the system from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network privileges. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to automated scanning tools and botnets that continuously search for exploitable systems. The impact on system integrity and data confidentiality can be severe, potentially leading to compliance violations under data protection regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA, depending on the nature of the data stored.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4375 must focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The most effective remediation involves updating the viewprofile.php script to utilize prepared statements or parameterized queries, which ensure that user input is properly escaped and treated as data rather than executable code. Organizations should also implement proper input sanitization techniques, including the use of whitelisting for parameter values and implementing proper error handling that does not expose database structure information to users. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify and remediate similar issues in legacy applications. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS), as attackers may leverage this weakness to establish persistent access and conduct further reconnaissance activities. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and access controls to detect and prevent unauthorized database access attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in application functionality while maintaining the security posture against similar vulnerabilities.