CVE-2008-4877 in WebCards
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in admin.php in WebCards 1.3, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the user parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4877 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the WebCards 1.3 content management system. This vulnerability specifically targets the admin.php script and exploits a fundamental weakness in input validation mechanisms. The flaw occurs when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. This configuration setting, when turned off, leaves applications vulnerable to malicious input manipulation that can bypass security controls designed to prevent database exploitation.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of the user parameter within the admin.php script to inject malicious SQL code. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. Attackers can craft specially formatted input that, when processed by the vulnerable application, gets directly executed as SQL commands against the underlying database system. This allows for complete database compromise including data extraction, modification, or deletion, as well as potential privilege escalation within the application environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the WebCards system. Depending on the database permissions assigned to the web application, attackers may be able to execute administrative commands, create new user accounts, modify existing records, or even gain shell access to the underlying server. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The attack pattern follows typical SQL injection methodologies described in MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services. Organizations using WebCards 1.3 should implement immediate mitigations including enabling magic_quotes_gpc, implementing proper input validation and sanitization, using prepared statements for database queries, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all web applications. Additionally, network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of proper input validation in web application security. Modern security frameworks emphasize the need for defense-in-depth approaches that include multiple layers of protection beyond simple parameter sanitization. Organizations should adopt secure coding practices that eliminate the possibility of SQL injection through the use of parameterized queries, stored procedures, and proper database access controls. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in legacy applications that may not have been updated to address these fundamental security flaws.