CVE-2008-5571 in Professional Download Assistant
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in admin/login.asp in Professional Download Assistant 0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) uname parameter (aka user field) or the (2) psw parameter (aka passwd field). NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The CVE-2008-5571 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the Professional Download Assistant 0.1 web application, specifically within the admin/login.asp component. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution risks through improper input validation mechanisms. The flaw manifests when attackers manipulate the uname parameter, which corresponds to the username field, or the psw parameter representing the password field, allowing malicious sql commands to be injected and executed against the underlying database system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user inputs, creating an avenue for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or system resources.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which categorizes sql injection as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input. The attack vector operates through the standard http protocol where user credentials are submitted via form fields, with the application failing to properly escape or validate special sql characters and keywords. The impact extends beyond simple authentication bypass as successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract confidential data, modify database records, or even escalate privileges within the application environment. The vulnerability affects the application's authentication layer, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines the core security mechanism designed to protect administrative access.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5571 is substantial as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands without requiring legitimate credentials. This creates a pathway for data exfiltration, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the vulnerable application resides. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform union-based sql injection attacks, potentially extracting user credentials, configuration data, or other sensitive information stored in the database. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploitation of vulnerabilities in applications to gain unauthorized access. Organizations running this version of Professional Download Assistant face significant risk of unauthorized access to their administrative interfaces and associated data repositories.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5571 must focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. The most effective approach involves upgrading to a patched version of Professional Download Assistant or implementing proper input sanitization measures such as using stored procedures with parameterized queries, implementing proper escape sequences for sql special characters, and employing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts. Additionally, organizations should implement principle of least privilege access controls, regular security audits, and maintain up-to-date vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other components of their web infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper database access controls as outlined in industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.