CVE-2008-6784 in EZ Adult Directory
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in directory.php in Scripts For Sites (SFS) EZ Adult Directory allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cat_id parameter in a list action.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6784 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the directory.php script of Scripts For Sites EZ Adult Directory software. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the cat_id parameter during list actions, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations. The flaw demonstrates a classic improper input validation issue that has been consistently categorized under CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass normal input validation mechanisms and inject arbitrary sql commands into the database query execution flow. When the cat_id parameter is processed within the list action context, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before incorporating it into sql statements. This creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the sql query structure by injecting sql syntax elements such as union select statements, comments, or conditional logic that alters the intended database behavior. The vulnerability specifically impacts the directory.php script within the SFS EZ Adult Directory framework, indicating this is a targeted application-level flaw rather than a system-wide database vulnerability.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system's data. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information from the database including user credentials, personal data, and administrative details that may be stored within the directory structure. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require physical access or local system privileges to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to potentially allowing attackers to modify or delete database records, escalate privileges within the application, or even gain deeper system access through database-level exploitation techniques. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 for exploit for client execution, as it enables remote code execution through database manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters including cat_id are properly sanitized before database processing. This approach directly addresses the root cause by preventing malicious sql code from being executed within the database context. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious sql injection patterns, maintain comprehensive input filtering mechanisms, and establish regular security code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, database access controls should be implemented to limit the privileges of application database accounts, ensuring that even if exploitation occurs, the damage scope remains constrained. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST guidelines, particularly focusing on input validation and output encoding to prevent injection attacks that have been consistently documented as one of the most prevalent web application security risks since the early 2000s.