CVE-2008-6866 in Current Issue Module
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in modules.php in the Current_Issue module for PHP-Nuke allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in a summary action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2017
The CVE-2008-6866 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHP-Nuke content management system, specifically affecting the Current_Issue module. This vulnerability exists in the modules.php file where the id parameter is processed during a summary action, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that bypass normal authentication mechanisms and execute unauthorized database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic SQL injection pattern where the id parameter is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper escaping or parameterization. When a user submits a request containing a malicious id value, the application fails to validate or sanitize this input before incorporating it into database queries. This oversight enables attackers to craft SQL payloads that can manipulate the underlying database structure, potentially leading to data extraction, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by remote attackers without prior access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6866 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract user credentials, personal data, and system configurations from the affected PHP-Nuke installations. The vulnerability also enables attackers to modify or delete database records, potentially causing data integrity issues and system instability. Given that PHP-Nuke was widely deployed in web applications during this period, the potential attack surface for this vulnerability was extensive, affecting numerous websites and organizations that relied on this CMS platform for their web presence.
Security mitigations for CVE-2008-6866 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The primary defense mechanism involves sanitizing all user inputs through proper escaping techniques or utilizing prepared statements that separate SQL code from data. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, while also applying the latest security patches from PHP-Nuke vendors to address this vulnerability. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation flaws, with adherence to secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as those outlined in the CWE-89 category for SQL injection vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services, emphasizing the need for network-level protections and proper access controls to limit potential attack vectors.