CVE-2008-6263 in SaturnCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in lib/user/t_user.php in SaturnCMS allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the username parameter to the _userLoggedIn function. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6263 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the SaturnCMS content management system, specifically affecting the user authentication component. This issue resides in the lib/user/t_user.php file where the _userLoggedIn function processes user input without proper sanitization or validation. The vulnerability manifests when the username parameter is passed through the authentication flow, creating an attack vector that allows remote adversaries to inject malicious SQL commands into the database query execution process. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling within the application's database interaction layer, making it susceptible to exploitation by attackers who can manipulate the username field to execute unauthorized database operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard SQL injection patterns where attacker-controlled input is directly concatenated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization. When a user attempts to log in, the system processes the username parameter through the _userLoggedIn function, which fails to sanitize the input before incorporating it into database queries. This lack of input sanitization enables attackers to craft malicious username values that can manipulate the underlying SQL statement structure, potentially allowing for data extraction, modification, or deletion operations. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with access to the affected system's login interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive user information including passwords, personal data, and administrative credentials stored within the database. Additionally, the attacker may be able to modify or delete user accounts, manipulate content, and potentially escalate privileges within the CMS environment. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system's user data, with potential cascading effects on other system components that depend on the compromised database. The impact is particularly severe given that the vulnerability affects core user authentication functionality, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The recommended approach involves updating the SaturnCMS to a patched version that addresses the specific input handling flaw in the _userLoggedIn function, ensuring that all user inputs are properly sanitized before database processing. Organizations should implement proper parameter binding techniques where user inputs are treated as data rather than executable code within SQL statements. Additionally, access controls should be enforced through proper authentication mechanisms, and database permissions should be restricted to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a common attack pattern categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in software applications. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar issues in other components of the system architecture.