CVE-2008-5589 in RankEm
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in processlogin.asp in Katy Whitton RankEm allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) txtusername parameter (aka username field) or the (2) txtpassword parameter (aka password field). NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5589 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in the processlogin.asp script of the Katy Whitton RankEm application. This vulnerability resides within the authentication mechanism of the web application, specifically targeting the username and password input fields. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the SQL query execution by injecting malicious SQL code through the txtusername and txtpassword parameters, effectively bypassing the intended authentication process.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields that are then processed by a database. The attack vector exploits the application's failure to properly sanitize or escape user input before incorporating it into SQL queries. When an attacker submits malicious input through either the username or password fields, the application processes these inputs without adequate validation, allowing the injected SQL commands to execute within the database context. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core authentication functionality, potentially enabling unauthorized access to user accounts and sensitive database information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities including data extraction, modification, or deletion. An attacker could potentially enumerate the entire user database, extract sensitive information such as hashed passwords, or even escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the application's data, making it a significant threat to the overall security posture. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where attackers leverage web application vulnerabilities to gain system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries. The application should employ prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is properly separated from the SQL command structure. Additionally, input sanitization measures including character filtering, length restrictions, and proper escaping of special characters should be implemented. The system should also incorporate proper error handling to prevent information leakage that could aid attackers in crafting more sophisticated attacks. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include immediate patching of the affected application and comprehensive security testing to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls.