CVE-2008-6255 in vBulletin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in vBulletin 3.7.4 allow remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) answer parameter to admincp/verify.php, (2) extension parameter in an edit action to admincp/attachmentpermission.php, and the (3) iperm parameter to admincp/image.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2018
The vulnerability CVE-2008-6255 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting vBulletin 3.7.4 forum software, where authenticated administrators can exploit multiple injection points to execute arbitrary SQL commands. This vulnerability specifically targets administrative control panels and leverages improper input validation in three distinct endpoints within the admin control panel. The attack vector requires an attacker to already possess administrative credentials, making this a privilege escalation vulnerability rather than a direct remote code execution flaw. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries, creating opportunities for malicious SQL command injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through three primary attack vectors within the administrative interface. The first vector involves the answer parameter in admincp/verify.php, where unvalidated input allows attackers to manipulate the verification process and inject malicious SQL commands. The second vector targets the extension parameter during edit actions in admincp/attachmentpermission.php, enabling attackers to modify attachment permissions through crafted SQL injection payloads. The third vector affects the iperm parameter in admincp/image.php, where insecure parameter handling allows arbitrary SQL execution during image permission management. All three vulnerabilities fall under the category of CWE-89 SQL Injection, specifically representing authenticated SQL injection attacks that bypass normal access controls. These vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they operate within the administrative context, where attackers already possess elevated privileges, allowing them to manipulate database content and potentially escalate their access further.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6255 extends beyond simple data manipulation, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise and potential system takeover. An attacker with administrative access can leverage these vulnerabilities to extract sensitive user data including passwords, personal information, and forum configuration details. The attack can result in unauthorized access to user accounts, data exfiltration, and potential persistence mechanisms within the database. Given that these vulnerabilities exist in administrative endpoints, they provide attackers with the ability to modify forum behavior, disable security features, and potentially establish backdoors. The implications are particularly severe for organizations relying on vBulletin forums for business communications, as the compromise of administrative credentials combined with this vulnerability creates a pathway for complete forum takeover. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts and T1046 Network Service Scanning, as it exploits legitimate administrative access to gain deeper database-level access and potentially expand the attack surface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6255 require immediate patching of the affected vBulletin 3.7.4 software to address the SQL injection vulnerabilities in the identified administrative endpoints. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future versions. Network segmentation and monitoring of administrative access points can help detect anomalous activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Access control measures should be strengthened through multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and regular credential rotation. Security monitoring should focus on database query logs for suspicious patterns that might indicate SQL injection attempts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar injection vulnerabilities in other applications and systems. The remediation process should also include reviewing and updating administrative access policies to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to administrative functions, reducing the potential impact of credential compromise.