CVE-2009-0287 in KEEP Toolkit
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in lib/patUser.php in KEEP Toolkit before 2.5.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) username and (2) password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2017
The CVE-2009-0287 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the KEEP Toolkit authentication system that affects versions prior to 2.5.1. This vulnerability specifically targets the lib/patUser.php component which handles user authentication processes, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking unauthorized system access. The vulnerability exists in the way the application processes user credentials during the login procedure, where input validation is insufficient to prevent malicious sql code injection. This flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries through carefully crafted username and password parameters, potentially enabling full database compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input sanitization within the patUser.php library where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into sql queries without adequate escaping or parameterization. When an attacker submits malicious input in either the username or password fields, the application fails to properly validate or escape these inputs before executing database operations. This creates an environment where sql commands can be injected and executed with the privileges of the affected application, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even escalate their privileges within the system. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication mechanism, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers to gain unauthorized access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to perform complete system compromise through database manipulation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract user credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data stored within the application's database. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for web applications. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited to perform privilege escalation attacks, potentially allowing attackers to gain administrative access to the application and its underlying database infrastructure. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the owasp top ten, specifically addressing the sql injection category that consistently ranks among the most critical web application vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the KEEP Toolkit to version 2.5.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and sql query parameterization. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization techniques including the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual sql query patterns and authentication attempts that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. This vulnerability aligns with several cwes including cwe-89 sql injection and cwe-20 improper input validation, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in the mitre att&ck framework under the execution and credential access domains. Organizations should also consider implementing proper database access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized sql command execution that could indicate exploitation attempts.