CVE-2008-4423 in Ovidentia
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in Ovidentia 6.6.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the item parameter in a contact modify action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The CVE-2008-4423 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Ovidentia content management system version 6.6.5. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php file and occurs during contact modification operations when the item parameter is processed. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database layer without requiring authentication or privileged access. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly when the application fails to properly escape or parameterize sql query inputs before executing them against the backend database.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly handle the item parameter in contact modification actions. When a user submits data through the contact modification interface, the application directly incorporates this parameter into sql queries without adequate sanitization measures. This creates an environment where malicious actors can craft specially formatted input that alters the intended sql query execution flow. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user input transitions into database commands, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially allow full database access, data exfiltration, or even complete system compromise depending on the database permissions granted to the application.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-4423 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass potential system compromise and business disruption. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and business-critical information stored within the Ovidentia database. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system or network to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly attractive to malicious parties. Additionally, successful exploitation could lead to data corruption, unauthorized modifications to content, and potential service disruption that affects the organization's digital presence and reputation. The vulnerability also presents a significant risk for organizations that may have administrative access to the database through the application, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and gain broader system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization measures. The most effective approach involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user input cannot alter the structure of sql commands. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially malicious characters and patterns before processing user data. The application should enforce proper access controls and privilege separation to minimize the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be implemented promptly to address known vulnerabilities, and security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 sql injection and follows attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under the technique of command and control through database manipulation, emphasizing the need for robust database security controls and application-level defenses against malicious input processing.