CVE-2008-6409 in ol bookmarks manager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in ol bookmarks manager 0.7.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in a brain action.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6409 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the ol bookmarks manager version 0.7.5 web application. This vulnerability specifically affects the index.php script and manifests when processing the id parameter during brain action operations. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter malicious sql payload characters from user-supplied data. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted id parameter values that contain sql commands, which then get executed within the database context of the vulnerable application. The vulnerability is classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands on the affected database server. This capability allows attackers to perform unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations, potentially leading to complete database compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or system configuration details stored within the database. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local system access or authentication to the application, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Additionally, the brain action functionality suggests this vulnerability may be triggered through specific user interactions that could be easily automated, amplifying the attack surface and potential damage.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the attack pattern described in the attack technique MITRE ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious sql payloads that bypass input validation, then submitting these payloads through the vulnerable id parameter. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, create backdoors, or establish persistent access to the underlying database infrastructure. Database administrators should be particularly concerned about this vulnerability as it directly undermines the integrity and confidentiality of stored data, potentially leading to compliance violations and significant financial losses.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query construction. The primary defense mechanism involves implementing strict input sanitization that filters or escapes special sql characters before processing user-supplied data. Additionally, developers should adopt prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate sql command structure from data values, effectively preventing malicious sql code from being executed. The ol bookmarks manager 0.7.5 should be updated to a patched version that addresses this vulnerability, as the original version likely contains no security fixes. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not be considered a substitute for proper code-level remediation. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack, as sql injection remains one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. Organizations should also implement proper database access controls and monitoring to detect and respond to unauthorized sql command execution attempts.