CVE-2008-6345 in SolarCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Forum.php in SolarCMS 0.53.8 and 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cat parameter to indes.php. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6345 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SolarCMS content management system version 0.53.8 and 1.0. This vulnerability specifically affects the forum.php component where the cat parameter in the index.php script is improperly validated and sanitized. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database layer, potentially enabling complete system compromise. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql query constructions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a weakness where untrusted data is directly included in sql commands without proper sanitization. Attackers can exploit this by manipulating the cat parameter to inject malicious sql payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even execute operating system commands on the underlying server. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates through a web interface that requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible systems. The flaw demonstrates poor secure coding practices where user input flows directly into sql execution contexts without proper parameterization or input filtering.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for SolarCMS installations as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to database contents including user credentials, configuration data, and application information. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK tactics including initial access through web application attacks, credential access via database compromise, and privilege escalation when attackers can manipulate user accounts or system configurations. Organizations running affected versions of SolarCMS face potential data breaches, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations that could result in substantial financial and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6345 should prioritize immediate patching of affected SolarCMS versions to the latest available releases that address the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block sql injection attempts targeting known vulnerable parameters. Additionally, database access should be restricted to specific application accounts with minimal required privileges, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and secure coding practices in preventing sql injection attacks that continue to represent one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security threats.