CVE-2008-5940 in MODX
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in MODx 0.9.6.2 and earlier, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the searchid parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2018
The CVE-2008-5940 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the MODx content management system version 0.9.6.2 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php script and exploits a fundamental weakness in input validation when the php configuration setting magic_quotes_gpc is disabled. The vulnerability occurs within the searchid parameter processing, where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This creates an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands into the application's database layer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the application lacks the automatic escaping mechanism that would normally protect against sql injection attacks. The searchid parameter serves as the attack vector where malicious input can be crafted to manipulate the underlying sql execution flow. Attackers can construct sql payloads that bypass normal input filtering, potentially allowing them to execute unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a common weakness in web application security where untrusted data is used in sql command construction without proper validation or escaping.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted across multiple attack vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database, potentially extracting sensitive information such as user credentials, application configuration data, or business-critical information. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform data manipulation operations including updating or deleting records, which could lead to data integrity compromise and service disruption. Additionally, attackers may be able to escalate privileges within the database or even execute operating system commands if the database server allows such operations. The vulnerability also provides a pathway for attackers to establish persistent access through database backdoors or by modifying application logic stored procedures. This represents a significant risk to organizations using affected MODx versions, as it allows attackers to potentially compromise the entire application infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5940 should focus on immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of MODx that addresses this vulnerability, as version 0.9.6.3 and later contain proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also implement proper input validation at multiple layers including application-level parameter sanitization and database-level query parameterization. The application should be configured with magic_quotes_gpc enabled or alternatively implement comprehensive input filtering and escaping mechanisms. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, though they should not be relied upon as the sole mitigation. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious sql patterns and unusual database access patterns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the application stack. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers may use the compromised system to establish command and control channels. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege for database accounts and regularly audit database access logs to detect unauthorized activities.