CVE-2008-5269 in pSys
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in pSys 0.7.0 alpha allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the shownews parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5269 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the pSys 0.7.0 alpha content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the index.php script where the shownews parameter is processed without adequate input sanitization or validation. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the application's database queries, potentially compromising the entire backend infrastructure. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL statements into input fields for execution by the database engine. This particular weakness falls under the category of insecure input handling where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL commands without proper escaping or parameterization techniques.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the shownews parameter in the index.php script to inject malicious SQL payloads. The application fails to validate or sanitize the input received through this parameter, allowing attackers to craft SQL commands that bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute destructive operations. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system and can exploit it from any location with internet connectivity. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and potential impact of the vulnerability, as it can be exploited by anyone who can access the web application interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5269 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential denial of service conditions. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to confidential information stored within the database, including user credentials, personal data, and potentially sensitive system configurations. Attackers might also leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, create backdoors, or perform data manipulation that could disrupt normal business operations. The vulnerability's presence in a content management system increases the risk of further attacks as compromised systems often serve as launching points for broader network infiltration attempts. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the exploitation of remote services for initial access and privilege escalation within target networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should apply the vendor-supplied patches or upgrade to a newer version of pSys that addresses this vulnerability. Input sanitization techniques including proper escaping of special characters and validation of data types should be implemented at all entry points where user input is processed. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security testing of all application components to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other parts of the system, following the principles of secure coding practices and defense in depth strategies as recommended by industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten project.