CVE-2008-4642 in AstroSPACES
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in profile.php in AstroSPACES 1.1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in a view action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2024
The CVE-2008-4642 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the AstroSPACES 1.1.1 web application that fundamentally compromises database security through improper input validation. This vulnerability exists within the profile.php script where the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into sql query constructs. The specific attack vector occurs when the id parameter is passed through the view action, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql code directly into the parameter value. The vulnerability is classified as a classic sql injection attack that operates at the application layer, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges or specialized tools beyond basic web exploitation techniques. This flaw directly violates security principles of input validation and output encoding, creating an attack surface that enables unauthorized data access, modification, and potential complete database compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper parameterized queries or input sanitization mechanisms when processing the id parameter. When a user requests a profile view, the application constructs a sql statement that directly concatenates the user-provided id value without any form of validation or escaping. This design flaw allows attackers to inject sql payload sequences that alter the intended query structure, potentially executing commands such as UNION SELECT statements, DROP TABLE operations, or even system command execution depending on the underlying database engine. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within a profile viewing function that is typically accessible to all users, meaning any authenticated or unauthenticated attacker can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the application's database. The attack can result in complete data exposure, including user credentials, personal information, and potentially system-level data depending on database permissions and configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and business disruption. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can extract sensitive user information, modify or delete profile data, and potentially escalate privileges within the database environment. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the underlying code is patched or the application is updated, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that fail to maintain current security patches. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack tree framework where an attacker can progress from initial reconnaissance to privilege escalation through sql injection exploitation. The vulnerability also maps to multiple attack techniques within the attack command and control taxonomy, including data exfiltration, credential theft, and database manipulation. Organizations using AstroSPACES 1.1.1 face significant risk of regulatory compliance violations and data breach notifications, particularly if user personal information is compromised through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4642 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural security improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, specifically targeting all sql query construction points. Security practitioners should enforce strict input sanitization techniques that reject or escape special sql characters and sequences, while also implementing proper output encoding to prevent malicious payloads from being executed. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block sql injection attempts, though this should not replace proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include regular security code reviews, automated vulnerability scanning, and comprehensive penetration testing. Additionally, organizations should establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle sql injection attacks and ensure that database access controls are properly configured to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. This vulnerability serves as a prime example of why organizations must maintain continuous security awareness and implement robust security development lifecycle practices to prevent similar issues in future applications. The remediation process should also include thorough testing of patched code to ensure that the sql injection vulnerability is completely eliminated without introducing new security flaws.