CVE-2008-6663 in PHPAuctions
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in profile.php in PHPAuctions.info PHPAuctions (aka PHPAuctionSystem) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the auction_id parameter, a different vector than CVE-2009-0106.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6663 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHPAuctions.info PHPAuctionSystem application, specifically affecting the profile.php script. This security weakness enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries through the auction_id parameter, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data and system compromise. The vulnerability operates as a distinct attack vector from CVE-2009-0106, indicating separate code paths or implementation flaws within the application's database interaction mechanisms. The flaw resides in the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate user input before incorporating it into SQL query construction processes, creating an exploitable condition where malicious input can alter the intended query execution flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic SQL injection attack pattern where the auction_id parameter lacks adequate input validation and sanitization measures. When a user submits an auction_id value through the profile.php interface, the application directly incorporates this parameter into database queries without proper escaping or parameterization techniques. This omission allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can be executed within the database context, potentially enabling data retrieval, modification, or deletion operations. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms, as successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation or complete system compromise through database access manipulation. According to CWE standards, this represents a CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, which falls under the broader category of injection vulnerabilities that remain among the most prevalent and dangerous threats in web application security.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6663 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass potential complete system compromise and unauthorized administrative access. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can extract sensitive information including user credentials, auction details, and system configurations that may reveal additional attack vectors or system weaknesses. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or network to leverage this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for online auction platforms where user interaction is frequent and diverse. Database-level access through SQL injection can enable attackers to manipulate auction listings, alter user accounts, and potentially execute administrative commands that could compromise the entire platform's integrity and availability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1046 for Network Service Scanning, as exploitation typically involves reconnaissance and targeted attack delivery through the application's web interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6663 must focus on implementing robust input validation and parameterized query execution throughout the PHPAuctionSystem application. The primary remediation involves replacing direct parameter concatenation with prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from data values, effectively neutralizing the injection possibility. Additionally, comprehensive input sanitization measures should be implemented to filter or escape special characters that could be used in malicious SQL injection attempts. The application should enforce strict access controls and implement proper authentication mechanisms to limit the impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Security headers and application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth layers, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the codebase. Organizations should also implement proper error handling that does not expose database structure information to end users, as this can aid attackers in crafting more sophisticated attacks. The remediation process should include thorough code review and testing procedures to ensure that all database interaction points have been properly secured against injection attacks, following OWASP Top Ten security guidelines and industry best practices for web application security.