CVE-2008-7091 in Pligg
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Pligg 9.9 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) id parameter to vote.php, which is not properly handled in libs/link.php; (2) id parameter to trackback.php; (3) an unspecified parameter to submit.php; (4) requestTitle variable in a query to story.php; (5) requestID and (6) requestTitle variables in recommend.php; (7) categoryID parameter to cloud.php; (8) title parameter to out.php; (9) username parameter to login.php; (10) id parameter to cvote.php; and (11) commentid parameter to edit.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-7091 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting Pligg version 9.9 and earlier, exposing multiple entry points where remote attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization across various PHP scripts within the application, fundamentally compromising the database integrity and potentially enabling full system compromise. The flaw resides in the core database interaction mechanisms where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate escaping or parameterization, creating an avenue for malicious SQL code injection.
The technical exploitation occurs through multiple vectors within the Pligg application framework, each demonstrating a failure in input handling that aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities. The primary attack surface includes the vote.php script where the id parameter in libs/link.php fails to properly sanitize input, allowing attackers to manipulate the voting system and potentially access sensitive user data. Additionally, the trackback.php script presents another injection point through its id parameter, while submit.php contains an unspecified parameter that can be leveraged for command execution. The story.php script's requestTitle variable creates a direct injection point when processing story-related queries, while recommend.php introduces vulnerabilities through both requestID and requestTitle parameters, demonstrating the widespread nature of the flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing complete database compromise, user account takeover, and potential privilege escalation within the application environment. Attackers can leverage these injection points to extract confidential information, modify user credentials, manipulate content, or even gain administrative access to the Pligg installation. The cloud.php script's categoryID parameter and out.php's title parameter provide additional attack vectors that could be used to manipulate search functionality or content delivery mechanisms. The login.php script's username parameter vulnerability is particularly concerning as it directly targets authentication mechanisms, while cvote.php and edit.php introduce risks to comment management and voting systems that could be exploited to disrupt service availability or manipulate user interactions.
The exploitation of these vulnerabilities aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities, T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, and T1005 for data from local system. Organizations deploying Pligg systems should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper output encoding to prevent these injection attacks. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure database interaction patterns that violates fundamental security principles, particularly those outlined in OWASP Top Ten 2017 category A03: Injection, which emphasizes the critical need for proper input sanitization and query parameterization. These flaws demonstrate how a single architectural weakness can propagate across multiple application components, highlighting the importance of comprehensive security testing and input validation across all user-facing interfaces.
The remediation strategy must address the root cause through proper input sanitization, implementation of prepared statements, and comprehensive parameter validation across all affected scripts. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to versions that properly handle user input through parameterized queries or proper escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and input validation rules to prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of how legacy applications may contain multiple injection points that require systematic security auditing rather than isolated fixes. Regular security assessments and adherence to secure coding practices are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future application deployments.