CVE-2008-4757 in PHP-Daily
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in PHP-Daily allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) id parameter to (a) add_postit.php (b) delete.php, and (c) mod_prest_date.php; and the (2) prev parameter to (d) prest_detail.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4757 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHP-Daily application, a web-based content management system that was widely used for managing daily logs and entries. This vulnerability affects multiple files within the application's codebase and exposes the system to remote code execution through maliciously crafted SQL commands. The affected parameters include the id parameter in three distinct files: add_postit.php, delete.php, and mod_prest_date.php, as well as the prev parameter in prest_detail.php, all of which fail to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms, creating an attack surface that allows malicious actors to manipulate database operations through carefully crafted payloads. This weakness directly maps to CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without adequate sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the vulnerable parameters, allowing them to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the database context. The impact is severe as attackers can potentially extract sensitive data, modify database records, delete information, or even gain administrative access to the underlying database system. The attack vector is entirely remote, meaning no local access or authentication is required to exploit these vulnerabilities, making them particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. The fact that multiple files contain similar flaws indicates a systemic issue in the application's input handling architecture, suggesting that the developers did not implement consistent security measures across the entire codebase. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, and T1071.004, which involves application layer protocol manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate data compromise to include potential system-wide damage and business disruption. Organizations using PHP-Daily would face significant risk of data breaches, loss of confidential information, and potential regulatory compliance violations if their systems were compromised. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple files suggests that the entire application may be at risk, requiring comprehensive remediation efforts rather than isolated fixes. Database administrators and security teams would need to implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and access controls to prevent exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of following established security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten to prevent common injection flaws that continue to plague web applications. Proper database access controls and principle of least privilege implementations would further reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.