CVE-2008-6427 in Hivemaker
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in Hivemaker Professional 1.0.2 and earlier, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6427 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the hivemaker professional content management system version 1.0.2 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php script and exploits a fundamental weakness in input validation mechanisms. The flaw becomes particularly dangerous when the php configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. This configuration setting, while deprecated in modern php versions, was commonly disabled in production environments where developers implemented their own input sanitization measures. The vulnerability manifests through the cid parameter, which serves as the primary attack vector for malicious sql command injection attempts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input from the cid parameter is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This allows attackers to manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql code that gets executed on the database server. The attack requires no authentication and can be performed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that do not properly validate or escape user input. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which defines sql injection as the insertion of malicious sql code into a query, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of sql injection for data manipulation and unauthorized access. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing sql injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential data, modify database contents, create new database users, or even execute system commands if the database server has appropriate privileges. The vulnerability affects not only the integrity of the application but also the availability and confidentiality of the entire system. Organizations running affected versions of hivemaker professional face significant risks including data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences. The attack surface is particularly broad since the vulnerability affects a widely used content management system and the exploitation requires minimal technical skill to execute successfully.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6427 involve multiple layers of defensive measures that address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to a patched version of hivemaker professional, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization techniques including prepared statements and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection regardless of php configuration settings. The use of web application firewalls and input validation rules can provide additional protection layers. Security teams should conduct comprehensive code reviews focusing on sql query construction and input handling practices. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding guidelines and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include database access controls, regular security assessments, and monitoring for suspicious sql activity. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify similar issues in other applications and maintain up-to-date security patches for all system components.