CVE-2008-4706 in VBGooglemap
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in VBGooglemap Hotspot Edition 1.0.3, a vBulletin module, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the mapid parameter in a showdetails action to (1) vbgooglemaphse.php and (2) mapa.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2024
The CVE-2008-4706 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in VBGooglemap Hotspot Edition 1.0.3, a popular vBulletin module that enables users to create interactive maps within forum environments. This vulnerability specifically affects the module's handling of user input through the mapid parameter, which is processed during the showdetails action in two key files: vbgooglemaphse.php and mapa.php. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the module's codebase, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors to manipulate database queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL commands. The mapid parameter, which is typically used to identify specific map entries within the database, becomes the attack vector when an attacker supplies malicious SQL payload through this input field. This allows unauthorized users to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even execute administrative commands on the underlying database system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where vBulletin forums are deployed with database access credentials that may have elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-4706 extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing complete system compromise potential and significant business disruption. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to forum user data, including usernames, passwords, and personal information stored in the database. The vulnerability also enables attackers to modify forum content, inject malicious scripts, or even escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the entire forum system. Given that vBulletin forums often serve as communication platforms for organizations, this compromise can lead to reputational damage, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects the database layer directly, allowing for extensive data manipulation and exfiltration operations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which classifies SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in software security where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization. The attack pattern follows the typical SQL injection methodology outlined in MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1071.004 for application layer protocols and T1005 for data from local system. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation, parameterized queries, and proper output encoding to mitigate such vulnerabilities. The recommended remediation includes upgrading to patched versions of the VBGooglemap Hotspot Edition module, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments of third-party components. Additionally, database access controls should be reviewed to ensure least privilege principles are enforced, and input sanitization should be implemented at multiple layers to provide defense-in-depth against similar injection attacks.