CVE-2008-4605 in Easycafeengine
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in CafeEngine allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter to (1) dish.php and (2) menu.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4605 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the CafeEngine web application framework that exposes remote attackers to unauthorized command execution capabilities. This weakness specifically manifests through the improper handling of user input within the id parameter of two key application endpoints: dish.php and menu.php. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-89 SQL Injection as defined by the Common Weakness Enumeration standard, which categorizes this as a persistent and dangerous flaw that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query constructions. When an attacker submits a malicious id parameter value to either dish.php or menu.php, the application directly incorporates this unsanitized input into database queries without adequate validation or parameterization. This design flaw enables attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the database context, potentially allowing full database access, data manipulation, or even system compromise depending on the database permissions assigned to the application's database user account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or corruption, as it provides attackers with a pathway to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from database tables, modify or delete critical data, and potentially escalate privileges within the database environment. The remote nature of this attack vector means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, which describes how attackers target vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4605 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code. The most effective defense mechanism involves using prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from data values, ensuring that user input cannot alter the intended query execution flow. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization routines, employing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security code reviews can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing least privilege database access controls to limit the potential damage from successful attacks, as well as establishing comprehensive monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect suspicious database activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input handling in web applications, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the application's data processing architecture that could lead to complete system compromise.