CVE-2008-5582 in Nukedit
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in utilities/login.asp in Nukedit 4.9.x, and possibly earlier, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the email parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2024
The CVE-2008-5582 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the nukedit content management system version 4.9.x and potentially earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically affects the utilities/login.asp component which handles user authentication processes. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the email parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability is classified under cwe-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications. This type of vulnerability falls squarely within the attack pattern taxonomy of attack technique t1190 which focuses on sql injection attacks as a method of compromising database systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql code through the email parameter during the login process. When user input is directly concatenated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, attackers can manipulate the intended query execution flow. The email parameter in utilities/login.asp is particularly susceptible because it likely undergoes minimal validation before being processed by the database engine. This creates a pathway where attackers can craft specially formatted email addresses that contain sql commands designed to extract data, modify database structures, or execute unauthorized operations. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or physical presence to exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous for web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5582 extends far beyond simple data theft or unauthorized access. Successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise, allowing attackers to extract sensitive user information including passwords, personal data, and potentially system credentials. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations such as creating new user accounts, modifying existing records, or even deleting critical database components. Organizations running affected nukedit versions face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential system-wide compromise. The vulnerability's persistence in multiple versions suggests a fundamental flaw in input handling that could have broader implications for the overall security posture of affected systems, particularly when considering that sql injection attacks often serve as initial compromise vectors for more sophisticated attack chains.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the nukedit application. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of nukedit where available, as version 4.9.x is known to contain this flaw and subsequent releases should address the issue through proper sql injection prevention mechanisms. The implementation of input sanitization routines specifically targeting the email parameter in utilities/login.asp becomes critical, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes proper validation before database interaction. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security best practices dictate that all sql queries should utilize parameterized statements or stored procedures rather than dynamic query construction, which directly addresses the root cause of the cwe-89 vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other application components that may present analogous sql injection risks.