CVE-2009-0284 in Flax Article Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in category.php in Flax Article Manager 1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cat_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2024
The CVE-2009-0284 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the Flax Article Manager version 1.1 web application. This vulnerability specifically targets the category.php script which processes user input through the cat_id parameter, creating an exploitable pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious sql commands on the underlying database server. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's data handling processes, allowing attackers to manipulate the sql query execution flow through crafted malicious input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper escaping or parameterization. The cat_id parameter in category.php receives user-supplied input that directly influences database query construction, bypassing any protective measures that would normally prevent sql command injection. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious payloads that append additional sql statements to the original query, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive database information, modifying or deleting records, or even executing system-level commands depending on the database configuration and privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential persistence mechanisms and escalation opportunities within the compromised system. Remote exploitation of this flaw enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and potentially full system compromise if the database server has elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects web applications that rely on dynamic sql query construction without proper input validation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where sensitive information is stored in relational databases. This type of vulnerability commonly appears in legacy web applications that were not designed with modern security practices in mind, often lacking proper parameterized queries or input sanitization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0284 should focus on immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. Organizations should apply the vendor-supplied patch for Flax Article Manager version 1.1 or upgrade to a supported version that addresses this vulnerability. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that application accounts have minimal required privileges, following the principle of least privilege as recommended by security frameworks. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and sql injection detection mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the owasp top ten project and aligns with att&ck technique t1071.004 for application layer protocol tunneling, where attackers may use sql injection to establish persistent access to backend systems. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components that may be susceptible to similar injection attacks.