CVE-2008-6632 in MercuryBoard
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in func/login.php in MercuryBoard 1.1.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the User-Agent HTTP header ($_SERVER[ HTTP_USER_AGENT ]).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6632 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the MercuryBoard 1.1.5 content management system that exposes the application to remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the login functionality of the system where user input from the HTTP User-Agent header is improperly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The flaw exists in the func/login.php file which processes authentication requests and fails to validate or escape user-supplied data from the $_SERVER[HTTP_USER_AGENT] variable.
This SQL injection vulnerability operates through the manipulation of HTTP headers, specifically the User-Agent field that browsers automatically send to web servers. Attackers can craft malicious User-Agent strings containing SQL payload commands that get directly executed against the backend database without proper input validation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can send HTTP requests to the vulnerable system. The lack of proper input sanitization means that database queries constructed using the User-Agent header are susceptible to manipulation through standard SQL injection techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the database server. This capability enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including data extraction, modification, or deletion of database records, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects all versions of MercuryBoard up to and including version 1.1.5, representing a significant security gap that could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive user information, application data, or even system-level privileges depending on database permissions. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target network.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in remote services through the injection of malicious code into application input fields. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all HTTP headers, particularly those used in authentication processes. The recommended remediation involves proper parameterized queries or escaping of user input before database insertion, along with implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious User-Agent patterns. Additionally, upgrading to a patched version of MercuryBoard or migrating to a more secure platform represents the most effective long-term solution to eliminate this exposure.