CVE-2008-5198 in Acmlmboard
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in memberlist.php in Acmlmboard 1.A2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the pow parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5198 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Acmlmboard 1.A2 web application, specifically affecting the memberlist.php script. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution attacks through manipulation of the pow parameter, creating a significant security risk for systems utilizing this bulletin board software. The flaw resides in the improper handling of user input within the application's database query construction process, where direct concatenation of user-supplied data into SQL statements occurs without adequate sanitization or parameterization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize the pow parameter before incorporating it into database queries. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application processes the data directly within the SQL command structure, enabling attackers to inject additional SQL commands that bypass normal authentication and access controls. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is embedded into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard web-based attack vectors, requiring no special privileges or access mechanisms beyond normal user interaction with the affected web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as remote attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database server. This capability allows adversaries to perform complete database enumeration, data extraction, modification, or deletion operations, potentially leading to full system compromise. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, gain access to sensitive user information, or even establish persistent backdoors within the affected system. The vulnerability affects systems running Acmlmboard 1.A2 where the memberlist.php script is accessible, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that lack proper input validation and output encoding controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper parameterized queries and input validation mechanisms throughout the application codebase. Organizations should implement input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters commonly used in SQL injection attacks, including single quotes, semicolons, and comment delimiters. The recommended approach involves transitioning from dynamic SQL query construction to prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate user input from SQL command structure. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and input validation at the application level, along with regular security audits and code reviews, can prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense, though these should not replace proper code-level fixes. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, specifically targeting the execution of malicious SQL commands through unvalidated input parameters.