CVE-2008-5733 in Team Impact Ti Blog System Module
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in blog.php in the Team Impact TI Blog System mod for PHP-Fusion allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The CVE-2008-5733 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Team Impact TI Blog System module for PHP-Fusion, a popular content management framework. This vulnerability specifically targets the blog.php script where user input is inadequately sanitized, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate database queries through the id parameter. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in application security where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The Team Impact TI Blog System module, being a third-party extension for PHP-Fusion, inherits the security posture of the parent platform while introducing additional attack surface through its implementation of user input handling.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input for the id parameter in the blog.php script, which is then directly embedded into sql queries without proper sanitization. This allows the attacker to inject malicious sql code that can manipulate the database structure, extract sensitive information, modify or delete data, or potentially gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution through database manipulation, allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and escalate privileges within the affected system. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, making it a preferred target for automated exploitation tools and less sophisticated attackers.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5733 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data destruction. Organizations running vulnerable versions of PHP-Fusion with the Team Impact TI Blog System module face significant risks including unauthorized data access, data corruption, and potential service disruption. The vulnerability can result in the exposure of sensitive user information, including personal details, login credentials, and potentially confidential business data stored within the database. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to the attack technique described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 category of exploit public-facing application, where adversaries target web applications to gain unauthorized access to systems and data. The impact is particularly severe in environments where the affected blog system contains sensitive information or serves as a gateway to other internal systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5733 require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. Organizations should apply the official security patch released by the Team Impact TI Blog System developers or upgrade to a supported version of the module. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input sanitization techniques, including the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries that separate sql code from user data. Additionally, web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block malicious sql injection patterns targeting the affected parameter. Security monitoring should include regular scanning for vulnerable web applications and implementation of principle of least privilege access controls for database connections. System administrators should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous sql queries that may indicate exploitation attempts, as outlined in the security best practices recommended by the OWASP foundation for preventing sql injection vulnerabilities.