CVE-2008-4590 in Stash
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Stash 1.0.3 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the username parameter to admin/login.php and (2) the post parameter to admin/news.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4590 represents a critical security flaw in the Stash content management system version 1.0.3, specifically targeting SQL injection attack vectors that enable remote code execution. This vulnerability exists due to inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's authentication and administrative interfaces. The flaw manifests in two distinct attack paths that exploit the same fundamental weakness in data handling practices, making it particularly dangerous as it provides multiple entry points for attackers to compromise the system. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the web application by allowing unauthorized individuals to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. When an attacker submits malicious input through the username parameter in admin/login.php or the post parameter in admin/news.php, the application directly concatenates these values into database queries without appropriate sanitization. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious SQL code that gets executed by the database engine, potentially allowing full database access, data manipulation, or even system compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. The lack of proper parameterized queries or input filtering creates an exploitable condition where attackers can bypass authentication mechanisms and gain administrative privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database server. This can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly attractive to threat actors. Organizations using Stash 1.0.3 are at significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information stored in the database, including user credentials, content management data, and potentially system configuration details. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access through database-level backdoors or to escalate privileges within the application environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, particularly in the affected administrative interfaces. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of Stash or implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious SQL injection patterns. Input sanitization measures including proper escaping of special characters, length validation, and whitelisting of acceptable input formats should be implemented across all user-facing parameters. Additionally, database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that application accounts have minimal required privileges, following the principle of least privilege as recommended by security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, while implementing comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of validating all user inputs to prevent injection attacks that can compromise entire system architectures.