CVE-2008-7116 in WeBid
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the admin panel (admin/) in WeBid auction script 0.5.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the username.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The CVE-2008-7116 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in the WeBid auction script version 0.5.4 within its administrative panel interface. This vulnerability specifically affects the username parameter handling mechanism that processes user input for administrative access controls. The flaw exists in the authentication and authorization subsystem where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into sql query constructions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious sql payloads through the username field, which then gets executed on the underlying database server with the privileges of the web application. The vulnerability resides in the administrative section of the application, making it particularly dangerous as successful exploitation could provide attackers with full administrative control over the auction platform and its underlying data. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites as attackers only need access to the admin panel interface and the ability to submit data through the username parameter. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices where the application directly concatenates user input into sql query strings without appropriate escaping or parameterization techniques. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql syntax that can manipulate the database behavior, potentially leading to data extraction, modification, or deletion operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the administrative interface, which typically requires elevated privileges and handles sensitive operations within the auction platform. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, escalate privileges, and gain complete control over the auction system's backend operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the entire auction platform's functionality. Administrators could be locked out of their own systems, auction data could be corrupted or stolen, and the integrity of all transactions within the platform could be compromised. The vulnerability also poses significant risks to the platform's availability and reputation as attackers could potentially delete critical auction data or manipulate bidding processes to their advantage. From a security perspective, this flaw represents a severe configuration issue where the application fails to implement proper input sanitization and validation controls that are fundamental to preventing sql injection attacks. The attack surface is limited to the administrative panel, but the potential damage is extensive given that administrative access typically provides broad system control.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-7116 should prioritize immediate patching of the WeBid auction script to version 0.5.5 or later, which contains the necessary sql injection protection mechanisms. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements for all database interactions, particularly within administrative interfaces where user input is processed. Input validation and sanitization should be enforced at multiple levels including application code, web application firewalls, and database-level controls. Additionally, implementing least privilege principles for database connections and regularly monitoring database access logs can help detect anomalous activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as exploitation typically involves gaining administrative privileges through compromised authentication mechanisms. Security monitoring should focus on unusual patterns in administrative login attempts and database query activities that could indicate sql injection exploitation attempts.