CVE-2008-6964 in X7 Chat
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the login page in X7 Chat 2.0.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the password field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6964 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the authentication mechanism of X7 Chat version 2.0.5. This vulnerability specifically targets the login page where user credentials are processed, creating an avenue for malicious actors to bypass authentication and gain unauthorized access to the system. The flaw exists in how the application handles input validation for the password field, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql code that can be executed by the underlying database server.
This sql injection vulnerability operates through the manipulation of the password field during the login process, where the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before incorporating it into sql queries. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it occurs during the authentication phase, meaning that an attacker can potentially execute arbitrary sql commands with the privileges of the database user account that the web application uses to connect to the database. According to the CWE database, this maps directly to CWE-89 sql injection, which is classified as a high severity vulnerability that can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability can be exploited to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-6964 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract user credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data stored within the application's database. The vulnerability also poses significant risk to the integrity of the application, as malicious actors could modify or delete critical data, potentially causing service disruption and data loss. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1078 for valid accounts, demonstrating how sql injection can be used to establish persistent access and maintain control over compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate code-level fixes and broader security posture improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent malicious sql code from being executed. Organizations should ensure that all user input is properly escaped and validated before being processed by the database. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles can limit the damage that can be caused by successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The fix should include proper error handling to prevent information disclosure and ensure that database connections use appropriate authentication methods with restricted privileges. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should also be deployed to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.