CVE-2008-5978 in Mailing List Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Ocean12 Mailing List Manager Gold allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the Email parameter to (1) default.asp and (2) s_edit.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2024
The CVE-2008-5978 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Ocean12 Mailing List Manager Gold software, which falls under the category of SQL injection vulnerabilities. This vulnerability affects two specific script files within the application: default.asp and s_edit.asp. The flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to adequately filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL database queries. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the Email parameter to inject malicious SQL commands that bypass normal authentication and authorization controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic SQL injection attack vector where user input flows directly into database query construction without proper sanitization. When an attacker submits malicious input through the Email parameter, the application processes this data without adequate validation, allowing the injected SQL commands to execute within the database context. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the database interaction components of the mailing list manager software. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands with the privileges of the database user account that the application uses to connect to the database.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5978 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, mailing list data, and potentially other database contents. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers might gain administrative access to the application and underlying database systems. Additionally, the ability to execute arbitrary SQL commands opens possibilities for data manipulation, deletion, and the potential for further attack propagation within the network environment where the vulnerable application resides.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The attack pattern corresponds to the techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services and T1078 for valid accounts. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper output encoding. The recommended remediation approach involves implementing proper input sanitization mechanisms, utilizing parameterized database queries to prevent SQL injection, and conducting comprehensive code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other parts of the application infrastructure.