CVE-2008-4738 in MyCard
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in gallery.php in MyCard 1.0.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4738 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the MyCard 1.0.2 web application, specifically affecting the gallery.php component. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user input through the id parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the application's database queries, potentially compromising the entire backend system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper escaping or parameterization. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malicious value through the id parameter in the gallery.php script. The application fails to implement proper input validation or parameterized queries, allowing the injected SQL commands to execute within the database context. This creates a pathway for attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or even complete database compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input sanitization and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing injection attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1190 - Proxy Process, where the attacker leverages the application's legitimate database connection to execute malicious commands, and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, though the primary vector is SQL injection rather than DNS.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive user information, application configuration details, and underlying database structures. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized administrative access to the MyCard application. The vulnerability affects organizations using MyCard 1.0.2 who may be unaware of the exposure, particularly in environments where database credentials are not properly restricted or where the application runs with elevated privileges. This flaw represents a significant risk to data integrity and confidentiality, especially in applications handling personal information or business-critical data. The vulnerability also impacts the application's availability and integrity, as attackers could potentially modify or delete data, and the system's overall security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4738 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query usage. Organizations should implement input sanitization techniques that validate and filter all user-supplied data before processing, ensuring that special SQL characters are properly escaped or removed. The most effective remediation involves adopting parameterized queries or prepared statements, which separate SQL code from user data, preventing injection attacks. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege management ensures that database connections use minimal required permissions. Security measures should include web application firewalls that can detect and block SQL injection attempts, regular security testing including penetration testing and code reviews, and comprehensive application security training for developers. Organizations should also implement proper error handling that prevents database error messages from being exposed to end users, as these can provide valuable information for attackers. The remediation process must include thorough testing of the patched application to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the vulnerability is eliminated.