CVE-2008-5803 in Online Store
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in admin/login.php in E-topbiz Online Store 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the user parameter (aka username field). NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2024
The CVE-2008-5803 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the administrative login component of E-topbiz Online Store version 1.0. This vulnerability specifically targets the admin/login.php script where user input is improperly validated and directly incorporated into sql query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. The attack vector exploits the user parameter, commonly known as the username field, which serves as the primary entry point for malicious sql command injection attempts. Security researchers have identified this weakness as a fundamental failure in input validation practices that has persisted in legacy web applications. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category, which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects the administrative interface, which typically holds the most privileged access within web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling within the php application code where the user parameter is concatenated directly into sql statements without appropriate escaping or parameter binding mechanisms. When an attacker submits malicious input through the username field, the application processes this input without validation, allowing sql metacharacters and commands to be interpreted by the underlying database engine. This flaw enables attackers to manipulate the intended sql query execution flow, potentially extracting sensitive data, modifying database contents, or executing unauthorized administrative operations. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk because successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise through database-level attacks. According to the mitre att&ck framework, this vulnerability maps to the initial access and privilege escalation phases, specifically targeting the credential access and execution tactics. The lack of proper input sanitization creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate database queries and gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5803 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential data destruction. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can bypass authentication mechanisms entirely and gain administrative access to the online store system. This access level allows them to manipulate product catalogs, modify pricing structures, access customer data, and potentially inject malicious content into the web application. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for e-commerce platforms that handle sensitive customer information. Organizations using E-topbiz Online Store 1.0 face significant risks including data breaches, financial loss, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in unauthorized transactions, customer data exposure, and potential legal consequences under data protection regulations. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper sql query construction in preventing unauthorized database access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5803 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries within the affected application. The most effective approach involves implementing prepared statements with parameter binding to ensure that user input is never directly concatenated into sql queries. Organizations should also implement proper input sanitization techniques, including character set validation and length restrictions for username fields. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block malicious sql injection attempts. Security patches or upgrades to newer versions of E-topbiz Online Store should be prioritized to address this vulnerability, as the affected version is likely to contain additional security flaws. Regular security testing including sql injection vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other application components. The implementation of least privilege principles for database connections can also reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also establish proper monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts and sql injection activities. Compliance with industry standards such as owasp top ten and iso 27001 security requirements should be maintained to ensure comprehensive protection against sql injection vulnerabilities.