CVE-2009-0394 in Ple Cms
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in login.php in Pre Lecture Exercises (PLEs) CMS 1.0 beta 4.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the school parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
The CVE-2009-0394 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Pre Lecture Exercises (PLEs) Content Management System version 1.0 beta 4.2 specifically affecting the login.php script. This vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution attacks through manipulation of the school parameter, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this educational platform. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the application's authentication mechanism, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands that bypass normal authentication procedures. The affected parameter resides in the login.php file where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper escaping or parameterization techniques.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which defines improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 - exploit public-facing application, as it targets a publicly accessible web interface. The flaw enables attackers to perform unauthorized database access and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The attack vector requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by any remote user with access to the vulnerable web application. The sql injection occurs when the school parameter is processed through direct string concatenation into sql statements, without proper input filtering or prepared statement usage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise including user credential theft, data manipulation, and potential system persistence mechanisms. Attackers could extract sensitive information such as user accounts, login credentials, and institutional data from the backend database. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers might gain administrative access to the cms system, allowing them to modify or delete content, create new administrative accounts, or disable system functionality. Organizations using this version of PLEs face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized system modifications, particularly in educational environments where sensitive student and faculty information may be stored.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0394 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. The most effective remediation involves replacing direct sql string concatenation with prepared statements or stored procedures that separate sql command structure from data values. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization routines that validate and filter all user-supplied data before processing, particularly parameters used in database queries. Additionally, the application should employ proper output encoding and escape sequences to prevent sql injection attempts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. The most critical immediate action is to upgrade to a patched version of PLEs CMS or implement proper code modifications that address the root cause of the vulnerability through proper sql query parameterization techniques. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components.