CVE-2008-6889 in ASPReferral
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Merchantsadd.asp in ASPReferral 5.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the AccountID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-6889 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the ASPReferral 5.3 web application's Merchantsadd.asp component. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices in the handling of user-supplied data, specifically the AccountID parameter that is processed without proper security measures. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where user input directly influences database query construction, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or parameterize the AccountID input before incorporating it into sql commands. When a remote attacker submits a maliciously crafted AccountID value, the application processes this input directly within sql query strings without appropriate sanitization mechanisms. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a common vulnerability where untrusted data is embedded into sql queries without proper validation or escaping. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of application logic and database interaction, where user-controllable parameters bypass security controls that should prevent malicious sql command execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations using ASPReferral 5.3 as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database server. Attackers can potentially extract sensitive data, modify database contents, delete records, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise, data corruption, and unauthorized access to confidential information stored within the application's database. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that handle user account management and merchant referral systems where database integrity is paramount for business operations.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically follows established attack patterns documented in the mitre att&ck framework under the execution and credential access domains. Attackers can leverage sql injection to perform data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and system reconnaissance by crafting malicious payloads that manipulate the sql queries to extract information from database tables or execute administrative commands. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation controls, utilize parameterized queries, and deploy web application firewalls to protect against such attacks. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews are essential to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in legacy web applications. The remediation approach should focus on implementing proper input sanitization, adopting secure coding practices, and ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes rigorous validation before database interaction occurs, aligning with industry best practices for preventing sql injection attacks.