CVE-2008-4492 in YourOwnBux
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in referrals.php in YourOwnBux 4.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the usNick cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2024
The CVE-2008-4492 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the YourOwnBux 4.0 web application that specifically targets the referrals.php script. This vulnerability arises from improper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the usNick cookie parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications. The flaw exists because the application fails to properly escape or validate the cookie data before incorporating it into sql query constructions, allowing malicious input to alter the intended query structure and execute unauthorized database commands.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the usNick cookie value to inject malicious sql payload characters such as single quotes, semicolons, or sql comment markers. When the referrals.php script processes this unvalidated cookie data, it directly incorporates the malicious input into database queries without proper sanitization mechanisms. This creates a path for attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database level, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive user information, or even compromise the entire database infrastructure. The attack vector is entirely remote, requiring no local system access or authentication, making it highly accessible to threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise to encompass complete system integrity breaches within the YourOwnBux platform. Attackers could potentially extract user credentials, personal information, or financial data stored in the database, leading to identity theft, financial fraud, or service disruption. The vulnerability also enables attackers to modify or delete referral data, potentially affecting the platform's revenue generation mechanisms and user engagement metrics. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1046 which involves network service scanning to identify vulnerable endpoints. The impact on system availability is significant as database corruption or unauthorized access could render the referral system unusable.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4492 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks, ensuring all user-supplied data including cookie values undergo strict sanitization before database processing. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts, while also implementing proper cookie security measures including secure flags and http-only attributes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP top ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Regular security assessments, code reviews, and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar flaws in other application components. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened to limit database privileges for web applications, and comprehensive logging should be enabled to monitor for suspicious activities related to sql injection attempts. The remediation process should include updating the affected YourOwnBux software to a patched version and implementing proper error handling to prevent information disclosure that could aid attackers in exploiting similar vulnerabilities.