CVE-2008-5559 in PostEcards
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in sendcard.cfm in PostEcards allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5559 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PostEcards web application, specifically affecting the sendcard.cfm component. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user input parameters, where the cid parameter fails to properly validate or sanitize incoming data before incorporating it into database queries. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through this unvalidated parameter, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard SQL injection attack patterns where an attacker crafts malicious input containing SQL syntax within the cid parameter value. When the application processes this parameter without proper input sanitization or parameterized queries, the injected SQL commands execute within the database context. This creates a pathway for attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, deletion, or even privilege escalation within the database system. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations using PostEcards, as it enables remote code execution capabilities and complete database access. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract confidential user information, manipulate database records, or potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the database server. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications handling sensitive data. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of SQL injection for unauthorized database access and data manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5559 must prioritize immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization techniques, utilize prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database interactions, and apply web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Additionally, regular security audits, code reviews focusing on database interaction patterns, and comprehensive database access controls should be implemented to reduce the attack surface and prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future development cycles. The remediation process should also include updating the PostEcards application to a patched version that addresses this specific SQL injection vulnerability and ensures proper parameter handling throughout the application.