CVE-2008-6380 in Active Web Helpdesk
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in default.aspx in Active Web Helpdesk 2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the CategoryID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2024
The CVE-2008-6380 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in Active Web Helpdesk 2.0's default.aspx page that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands through the CategoryID parameter. This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The flaw exists in the application's input validation mechanisms, where user-supplied data from the CategoryID parameter is not properly escaped or validated before being concatenated into sql command strings.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious sql payload through the CategoryID parameter in the default.aspx page request. The application fails to implement proper input sanitization or parameterized queries, allowing the injected sql code to execute within the database context. This creates a pathway for attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it affects the core helpdesk functionality and could potentially provide access to sensitive user information, support tickets, and system configuration data stored in the backend database.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations using Active Web Helpdesk 2.0 as it allows remote code execution without authentication requirements. Attackers can leverage this flaw to escalate privileges, gain persistent access to database resources, and potentially move laterally within the network infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability could enable attackers to modify helpdesk configurations, inject malicious content, or disrupt service availability. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 for network service scanning to identify vulnerable systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and parameterized query usage to address this vulnerability. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters in user inputs before database processing. Database access controls should be strictly enforced with least privilege principles, ensuring that application accounts have minimal necessary permissions. Additionally, regular security patching and application updates should be implemented to address known vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect suspicious sql injection attempts and anomalous database access patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation as outlined in OWASP Top 10 A03:2021 - Injection vulnerabilities, emphasizing that proper parameterization and input validation are essential defenses against sql injection attacks.