CVE-2008-6418 in TorrentTrader
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in scrape.php in TorrentTrader before 2008-05-13 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the info_hash parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2025
The CVE-2008-6418 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in the scrape.php script of TorrentTrader version 2008-05-13 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the info_hash parameter, which serves as a crucial identifier for torrent files within the bittorrent protocol implementation. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries. This oversight creates a direct pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations through crafted sql commands embedded within the info_hash parameter.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted info_hash value that contains malicious sql syntax. The scrape.php script processes this parameter without adequate sanitization, allowing the sql injection to occur at the database level. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities that enable attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the database. The operational impact extends beyond simple data retrieval, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even escalate privileges within the affected system.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe in the context of torrent management systems where database integrity and user privacy are paramount. Attackers could potentially access user information, manipulate torrent data, or disrupt the entire torrent trading ecosystem managed by TorrentTrader. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input handling practices that violates core security principles of defense in depth and principle of least privilege. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique t1190 - exploit public-facing application and t1071.004 - application layer protocol to achieve unauthorized database access and potential system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6418 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query construction. System administrators should ensure that all user-supplied inputs, particularly those used in database operations, are properly sanitized and validated before processing. The recommended approach involves implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate sql command structure from data values, preventing malicious input from altering the intended sql execution flow. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be applied to maintain the latest protections against known vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable applications and database systems to unauthorized access. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and implement robust input validation frameworks that align with industry best practices for preventing sql injection attacks.