CVE-2008-5586 in Check New
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in findoffice.php in Check Up New Generation (aka Check New) 4.52, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the search parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2024
The CVE-2008-5586 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the Check Up New Generation content management system version 4.52. This vulnerability specifically affects the findoffice.php script and exploits a fundamental weakness in input validation mechanisms. The flaw becomes particularly dangerous when the php configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. This configuration setting, while deprecated in modern php versions, was commonly disabled in production environments where developers implemented their own input sanitization measures. The vulnerability resides in how the application processes the search parameter without proper sanitization or parameterized query construction, creating an attack surface that remote adversaries can exploit to manipulate database queries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the search parameter in the findoffice.php script. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, user input flows directly into sql queries without proper escaping, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql code. An attacker can append sql injection payloads to the search parameter to bypass authentication, extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute system commands depending on the underlying database system and the application's privileges. The vulnerability follows the classic sql injection pattern where untrusted input is concatenated directly into sql statements rather than being properly parameterized or escaped. This flaw directly maps to CWE-89 which defines sql injection as the insertion of malicious sql code into input fields for execution by the database.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5586 extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing complete system compromise and data integrity violations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, extract confidential user information including passwords and personal details, and potentially escalate privileges within the database environment. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system, making it a severe threat to organizational security. Given that this vulnerability was present in a content management system, it could provide attackers with access to all content managed by the application, potentially including sensitive business information, user data, and system configurations. The impact is amplified in environments where the web application has elevated database privileges, as attackers could potentially execute destructive operations or establish persistent backdoors.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including enabling magic_quotes_gpc or implementing robust input validation and sanitization techniques. The recommended approach involves using parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks, as specified in the owasp sql injection prevention cheat sheet and aligned with mitre attack techniques that target credential access and execution phases. Additionally, regular security audits should validate that all input parameters are properly sanitized before being processed by database systems. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of proper security configuration management, as disabling magic_quotes_gpc without implementing alternative protection mechanisms creates dangerous security gaps. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules to prevent malicious payloads from reaching the vulnerable application components. The remediation process should include updating to patched versions of the Check Up New Generation software and conducting comprehensive security testing to ensure no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application codebase.