CVE-2008-6980 in phpAdultSite
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in as_archives.php in phpAdultSite CMS, possibly 2.3.2, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the results_per_page parameter to index.php. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2018
The CVE-2008-6980 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the phpAdultSite content management system, specifically affecting version 2.3.2 and potentially other iterations. This vulnerability resides in the as_archives.php component and manifests through the results_per_page parameter when processed through index.php. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database layer, bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code within the database context, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard sql injection attack patterns where the results_per_page parameter lacks proper input sanitization or validation. Attackers can manipulate this parameter to inject malicious sql payloads that get executed by the backend database engine. This flaw aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities, where inadequate input validation allows attackers to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet. The attack vector through index.php demonstrates how a seemingly benign parameter can serve as an entry point for sophisticated database attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, encompassing data integrity breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential system compromise. Remote attackers could extract confidential user data, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the entire phpAdultSite installation. The vulnerability's persistence means that once exploited, attackers can maintain access and continue to manipulate the system without detection. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principles of data confidentiality and integrity as defined by information security frameworks, potentially exposing personal user information and compromising the trust relationship between the website and its visitors. The vulnerability also impacts system availability as attackers could potentially corrupt database structures or execute denial of service attacks against the database layer.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6980 should focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. System administrators must upgrade to patched versions of phpAdultSite or implement proper parameter sanitization techniques to prevent sql injection attacks. The implementation of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application to eliminate sql injection possibilities. Additionally, input validation should be strengthened to reject any non-numeric values for the results_per_page parameter, ensuring that only expected data types are processed. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments, as outlined in the mitre attack framework where such vulnerabilities are categorized as initial access vectors. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be part of the ongoing operational security posture to prevent similar issues from arising in future software versions.