CVE-2008-5778 in FLDS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in report.php in Free Links Directory Script (FLDS) 1.2a allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the linkid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The CVE-2008-5778 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Free Links Directory Script version 1.2a, specifically affecting the report.php component. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data. The flaw manifests when the application processes the linkid parameter without adequate filtering, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the database query execution flow. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution vector since attackers can leverage this weakness to manipulate the underlying database infrastructure and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to employ proper parameterized queries or input sanitization techniques when processing the linkid parameter. This weakness directly maps to CWE-89 which defines sql injection as the insertion of malicious sql fragments into input data that is then processed by an sql interpreter. The vulnerability exists because the application directly concatenates user input into sql query strings rather than utilizing prepared statements or proper escape sequences. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious linkid values that contain sql payload sequences such as union select statements or administrative commands that manipulate the database behavior.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes the Free Links Directory Script to significant security risks including data theft, data corruption, and unauthorized administrative access. Remote attackers can execute commands that retrieve sensitive information from the database, modify existing records, or even delete entire tables. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. This flaw enables adversaries to potentially escalate privileges and establish persistent access to the affected system, representing a serious threat to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the directory service.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the mitre att&ck framework, particularly those related to initial access and execution phases. Attackers may use this weakness as a foothold to gain further access to the system infrastructure. The vulnerability also fits within the data exposure category of att&ck, as it allows for unauthorized data access and exfiltration. Organizations using this script should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper output encoding to prevent sql injection attacks. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. The remediation process should involve updating to patched versions of the Free Links Directory Script or implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious sql payloads before they reach the vulnerable application components.