CVE-2008-6142 in FlexPHPic
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in admin/usercheck.php in FlexPHPic 0.0.4 and FlexPHPic Pro 0.0.3, and other 0.0.x versions, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the checkuser parameter (aka username field), or (2) the checkpass parameter (aka password field), to admin/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2008-6142 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting FlexPHPic versions 0.0.4 and Pro 0.0.3, along with other 0.0.x releases. This vulnerability exists within the administrative user verification component of the application, specifically in the admin/usercheck.php file. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the authentication process by injecting malicious SQL commands through user input fields. The vulnerability manifests when attackers submit crafted payloads through either the checkuser parameter, which corresponds to the username field, or the checkpass parameter, which maps to the password field, in the admin/index.php script. This represents a classic SQL injection attack vector where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper SQL query construction within the application's authentication mechanism. When legitimate users attempt to log in through the administrative interface, the system processes their input directly into database queries without adequate escaping or parameter binding. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that can alter the intended query behavior, potentially enabling them to bypass authentication, extract sensitive data, or execute arbitrary database commands. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects core authentication functionality, providing attackers with potential access to administrative controls and sensitive system information. According to CWE standards, this maps to CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, and falls under the broader category of improper input validation issues that compromise database security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain complete control over the affected system. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring any local access or prior authentication, making it particularly attractive to malicious actors. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, potentially compromising user accounts, administrative credentials, and sensitive business information stored within the application's database. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire system, as attackers can manipulate the database to their advantage. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as credential access and privilege escalation, potentially enabling adversaries to establish persistent access and conduct further reconnaissance or lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate code-level remediation, including implementing proper input validation, parameterized queries, and prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should apply the latest security patches provided by the software vendor, or if unavailable, implement input sanitization mechanisms that escape special characters and validate user input against expected formats. The solution must ensure that all user-supplied data is properly handled before being incorporated into database queries, eliminating the possibility of malicious SQL code execution. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, network segmentation, and monitoring of authentication attempts can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, ensuring comprehensive protection against SQL injection threats and maintaining overall system security posture.