CVE-2008-6120 in SocialEngine
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in profile_comments.php in SocialEngine (SE) 2.7 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the comment_secure parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2018
The CVE-2008-6120 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in SocialEngine version 2.7 and earlier, specifically within the profile_comments.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of the comment_secure parameter, which fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database layer without requiring authentication or privileged access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 sql injection, which is a well-documented weakness in application security where untrusted data is directly included in sql commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the comment_secure parameter to inject sql payloads that can manipulate the underlying database operations. Since SocialEngine is a web-based social networking platform, the attack surface extends to user comments and profile interactions where this parameter is processed. The vulnerability allows for complete database compromise, enabling attackers to extract sensitive user information, modify or delete records, and potentially escalate privileges within the application's database environment. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in social networking platforms where user data is extensive and often contains personal information.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6120 is severe and multifaceted across multiple threat vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform unauthorized data access, data manipulation, and potentially gain persistent access to the application's database. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including SocialEngine 2.7, representing a significant security gap in the platform's input validation mechanisms. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 application layer protocol and T1190 exploit public-facing application, as it allows exploitation of web applications through sql injection attacks. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0006 credential access and TA0008 persistence, as successful exploitation can lead to credential theft and long-term access to user accounts and database resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6120 should prioritize immediate application patching to the latest available version of SocialEngine that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks in all web applications. The recommended defense-in-depth approach includes implementing web application firewalls, database activity monitoring, and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that follow the principle of least privilege for database connections and implement proper error handling to prevent information disclosure. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security updates and vulnerability management processes, as this flaw existed for several years without proper remediation in the affected versions. Organizations using SocialEngine should also consider implementing database query logging and monitoring to detect suspicious sql patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.