CVE-2008-4711 in Joovili
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Joovili 3.0 and earlier, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter to (1) view.blog.php, (2) view.event.php, (3) view.group.php, (4) view.music.php, (5) view.picture.php, and (6) view.video.php.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2024
The CVE-2008-4711 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting Joovili version 3.0 and earlier installations where the magic_quotes_gpc PHP configuration setting is disabled. This vulnerability exposes multiple entry points within the application's web interface, specifically targeting six distinct view scripts that handle user-generated content. The affected files include view.blog.php, view.event.php, view.group.php, view.music.php, view.picture.php, and view.video.php, all of which process user input through the id parameter without proper sanitization or validation. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement adequate input filtering mechanisms, creating a direct pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database layer.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the id parameter in any of the listed PHP scripts to inject malicious SQL syntax. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, PHP does not automatically escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data, leaving the application's database queries vulnerable to manipulation. Attackers can construct SQL injection payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data from the database, modify or delete records, or even gain elevated privileges within the application. This flaw directly maps to CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where insufficient input validation allows attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling complete system compromise and unauthorized access to user accounts, personal information, and application functionality. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data extraction, modification, or deletion, which could result in significant business disruption and regulatory compliance violations. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects multiple content types within the Joovili platform, providing attackers with diverse opportunities to exploit the system. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access to systems and data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4711 should prioritize immediate patching of the Joovili application to version 3.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks, as recommended by OWASP and NIST guidelines. The immediate disabling of magic_quotes_gpc should be avoided in favor of proper input validation, as this PHP feature is deprecated and unreliable for security purposes. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security assessments, and ensuring proper database access controls are in place to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts and provide early warning capabilities for such vulnerabilities.