CVE-2008-6241 in FlexPHPSite
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in admin/usercheck.php in FlexPHPSite 0.0.1 and 0.0.7, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, 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-2008-6241 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting FlexPHPSite versions 0.0.1 and 0.0.7, specifically within the admin/usercheck.php component. This vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructions. The flaw becomes particularly dangerous when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, removing a fundamental protection mechanism that would otherwise escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. The vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors targeting the checkuser and checkpass parameters, which correspond to the username and password fields in the administrative interface. These parameters are directly processed without proper sanitization, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that can be executed within the database context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns for SQL injection attacks, where attackers craft malicious input strings designed to manipulate the intended SQL query structure. When the checkuser parameter receives input containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, semicolons, or comment markers, the application fails to properly escape or filter these characters before incorporating them into database queries. Similarly, the checkpass parameter presents identical risks, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code through password field inputs. The attack surface extends to the admin/index.php endpoint, which serves as the primary interface for administrative authentication and access control. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a weakness in software design that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of SQL injection to gain unauthorized access to database systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise and unauthorized administrative access to the entire FlexPHPSite application. Attackers can potentially extract sensitive user credentials, modify or delete database records, and establish persistent access points within the target environment. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it affects both authentication parameters, meaning that an attacker could not only bypass authentication but also manipulate user accounts and access privileged information. The implications for organizations using affected versions include potential data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and complete loss of administrative control over the application. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to user databases, which could contain personal information, login credentials, and other sensitive data that may be exploited for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6241 should prioritize immediate application updates to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability, as no patch exists for the affected FlexPHPSite versions. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes rigorous filtering before database processing. The use of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be mandatory for all database interactions, effectively preventing malicious SQL code from being executed. Additionally, organizations must ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or implement alternative protection mechanisms, as this configuration setting serves as a crucial defense-in-depth measure. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous database access patterns, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application stack. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability class.