CVE-2008-4760 in MyForum
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in lecture.php in Graphiks MyForum 1.3, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4760 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Graphiks MyForum 1.3 web application, specifically affecting the lecture.php script. This vulnerability arises from improper input validation and sanitization practices that allow malicious actors to manipulate database queries through the id parameter. The flaw becomes particularly dangerous when the server configuration enables register_globals, a deprecated php setting that automatically creates variables from request data, significantly expanding the attack surface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input for the id parameter in the lecture.php script, which then gets directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. When register_globals is enabled, the application's variable handling becomes increasingly insecure as user-supplied data can be seamlessly integrated into the application's execution context. This creates a scenario where an attacker can inject sql commands that execute with the privileges of the web application's database connection, potentially allowing full database access, data manipulation, or even server compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles of data sanitization and query parameterization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it provides attackers with potential pathways for persistent access and lateral movement within the affected environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive user information, modify forum content, escalate privileges, or even establish backdoor access points. The combination of sql injection with register_globals creates a particularly dangerous condition where attackers can manipulate not just database queries but also application variables, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability affects the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the forum's data and services, making it a high-priority security concern for any organization running the affected software version.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4760 require immediate action to address both the immediate vulnerability and underlying architectural issues. The primary recommendation involves disabling register_globals in the php configuration, which immediately reduces the attack surface by preventing automatic variable creation from request data. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries in the lecture.php script will prevent malicious sql code from being executed. The application should employ prepared statements or stored procedures for all database interactions, ensuring that user input is properly escaped and treated as data rather than executable code. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious sql injection patterns, while conducting comprehensive code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities throughout the application. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 for network service scanning, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures. The remediation process should include updating to a supported version of Graphiks MyForum, as version 1.3 contains multiple known vulnerabilities that require immediate attention. Security teams should also implement monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to address successful attacks.