CVE-2008-5895 in Mediatheka
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in connection.php in Mediatheka 4.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the user parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The CVE-2008-5895 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Mediatheka 4.2 content management system and earlier versions. This vulnerability specifically affects the connection.php script which serves as the primary database connection handler for the application. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly the user parameter that is processed without proper escaping or parameterization. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious sql payloads through the user parameter, which then gets directly incorporated into sql queries executed against the backend database. The vulnerability is classified as remote, meaning that attackers do not require local system access or authentication to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user input within the sql query construction process. When the user parameter is passed to connection.php, the application fails to implement proper input sanitization measures such as prepared statements or proper sql escaping mechanisms. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql code that bypasses normal authentication and authorization checks. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which defines sql injection as the insertion of malicious sql fragments into an application's sql queries through untrusted input. The flaw enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, deletion, and potentially gaining administrative privileges within the application's database environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with comprehensive access to the underlying database infrastructure. Successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise, allowing attackers to extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, and application configuration details. The vulnerability also enables attackers to modify or delete critical application data, potentially causing significant operational disruption. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1046 which involves network service scanning to identify vulnerable systems. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target the vulnerable system from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5895 should focus on immediate remediation through proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should implement prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database interactions, ensuring that user input is properly escaped or sanitized before being incorporated into sql commands. The recommended approach aligns with industry best practices defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure coding practices. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers including application, web application firewall, and database level provides defense in depth. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping software updated, as Mediatheka 4.2 and earlier versions are outdated and no longer receive security updates, making them particularly susceptible to exploitation. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit potential damage from successful exploitation, while monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious database access patterns and sql injection attempts.