CVE-2008-5335 in PHP-Fusion
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in messages.php in PHP-Fusion 6.01.15 and 7.00.1, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the subject and msg_send parameters, a different vector than CVE-2005-3157, CVE-2005-3158, CVE-2005-3159, CVE-2005-4005, and CVE-2006-2459.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5335 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the PHP-Fusion content management system versions 6.01.15 and 7.00.1. This security weakness specifically targets the messages.php script which handles message processing functionality within the application. The vulnerability becomes exploitable when the php configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, a common scenario in many production environments where this safety mechanism has been intentionally turned off. The attack vector operates through the subject and msg_send parameters, which are processed without adequate input sanitization or validation. This particular vulnerability differs significantly from previously identified sql injection flaws such as CVE-2005-3157 through CVE-2006-2459, indicating a distinct code path and attack surface that was not covered by existing mitigations. The flaw resides in the application's failure to properly escape or filter user-supplied input before incorporating it into sql query structures, creating an environment where malicious actors can manipulate database operations through crafted input sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to submit specially crafted data through the subject and msg_send parameters of the messages.php endpoint. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the application processes these inputs directly into sql statements without proper escaping mechanisms that would normally protect against sql injection attacks. The vulnerability can be leveraged to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database server, potentially enabling attackers to retrieve sensitive information, modify database content, or even escalate privileges within the application's database environment. The attack requires no authentication for the initial exploitation phase, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed remotely by anyone with access to the affected php-fusion installation. This flaw directly maps to CWE-89 which classifies sql injection vulnerabilities and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers sql injection attacks within web applications. The specific nature of this vulnerability demonstrates how disabling security mechanisms like magic_quotes_gpc can create dangerous conditions where traditional input validation becomes insufficient.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5335 extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive user information, including credentials stored in the database, personal data, and potentially administrative access to the php-fusion system. The vulnerability also enables attackers to manipulate the application's message functionality, potentially leading to denial of service conditions or the injection of malicious content that could affect other users. Organizations running vulnerable php-fusion installations face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in persistent backdoors or the establishment of command and control channels through database manipulation. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability enables multiple techniques including credential access through database enumeration, privilege escalation through administrative data manipulation, and defense evasion by corrupting application logs or data structures. The impact is particularly severe in environments where php-fusion is used for critical business functions or contains sensitive user data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5335 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of php-fusion that addresses this specific sql injection vulnerability in the messages.php script. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements for all database interactions, ensuring that user inputs are never directly incorporated into sql command structures. Additionally, enabling magic_quotes_gpc as a temporary workaround can provide protection, though this should not be considered a permanent solution as it is deprecated in modern php versions. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and block suspicious sql injection patterns targeting the affected endpoint. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. System administrators should also implement proper database access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized database activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the dangers of disabling security mechanisms without proper compensating controls in place. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify similar sql injection vulnerabilities across their entire application portfolio.