CVE-2008-6419 in Social Site Generator
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Social Site Generator (SSG) 2.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) sgc_id parameter to display_blog.php, (2) scm_mem_id parameter to social_my_profile_download.php, and the (3) catid parameter to social_forum_subcategories.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2024
The CVE-2008-6419 vulnerability affects Social Site Generator version 2.0, a web application designed for creating social networking platforms. This vulnerability manifests as multiple SQL injection flaws that collectively represent a critical security weakness in the application's input validation mechanisms. The affected parameters sgc_id in display_blog.php, scm_mem_id in social_my_profile_download.php, and catid in social_forum_subcategories.php all suffer from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data, creating exploitable entry points for malicious actors. These vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a critical weakness in software security architecture. The attack surface is particularly concerning as these parameters are directly exposed through web application interfaces that handle user-generated content and forum interactions.
The technical exploitation of these vulnerabilities occurs when unfiltered user input is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper parameterization or input validation. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that manipulate the SQL query execution flow, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the underlying database. The sgc_id parameter in display_blog.php likely processes blog identification data, while scm_mem_id in social_my_profile_download.php handles member identification for profile downloads. The catid parameter in social_forum_subcategories.php manages category identification for forum navigation. Each of these parameters represents a distinct attack vector where malicious SQL code can be injected and executed with the privileges of the web application's database user account. This represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture where input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms fail to prevent malicious data from being processed as executable SQL commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling complete database compromise and unauthorized administrative access. Attackers could extract sensitive user information, modify or delete database records, and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. The vulnerability affects not just individual user data but could compromise the entire social networking platform's integrity, as the database contains user profiles, forum posts, blog entries, and potentially system configuration data. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing injection flaws and inadequate input validation. The attack vectors are particularly dangerous because they target core application functionality, meaning that exploitation could occur through normal user interactions without requiring specialized knowledge or privileged access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6419 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. The most effective remediation involves replacing direct SQL query concatenation with prepared statements and parameterized queries, ensuring that user input is properly escaped or validated before database processing. Application developers should implement strict input validation mechanisms that filter or reject suspicious characters and patterns commonly associated with SQL injection attacks. The implementation of web application firewalls and input sanitization libraries can provide additional layers of protection. Security patches should be applied immediately, and the application should be configured to use least privilege database accounts with minimal required permissions. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this vulnerability represents a systemic issue in the application's architecture. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1190 technique of Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the importance of securing web applications against common injection attacks. Organizations should also implement proper database access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts and potential exploitation of these vulnerabilities.