CVE-2008-6728 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Sections module in PHP-Nuke, probably before 8.0, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the artid parameter in a printpage action to modules.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2018
The CVE-2008-6728 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Sections module of PHP-Nuke content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 8.0 and creates a significant security risk by allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through manipulation of the artid parameter. The attack vector occurs when users interact with the printpage action in modules.php, making this a web application vulnerability that can be exploited from any remote location without requiring authentication or privileged access. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's parameter handling mechanisms, directly enabling malicious SQL code injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic SQL injection attack pattern where user-controllable input from the artid parameter is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This allows attackers to manipulate the intended database query execution flow by injecting malicious SQL syntax that gets executed on the backend database server. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. The attack can result in complete database compromise, data exfiltration, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential system takeover through database-level command execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass full system compromise and business disruption. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive user credentials, personal information, and administrative data stored within the PHP-Nuke database. The remote execution capability means that malicious actors can operate without physical access to the system, making detection and prevention more challenging. Organizations running affected PHP-Nuke versions face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage. The vulnerability also enables attackers to modify or delete database content, potentially causing system instability and service disruption that can affect website availability and user experience.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6728 should prioritize immediate remediation through version upgrading to PHP-Nuke 8.0 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures to prevent similar issues in other application components. Database access controls and privilege management should be reviewed to limit the impact of potential successful attacks. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper input validation practices as fundamental security controls.