CVE-2009-0400 in SocialEngine
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in blog.php in SocialEngine 3.06 trial allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the category_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0400 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SocialEngine 3.06 trial blogging component. This issue specifically targets the blog.php script where the category_id parameter fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input filtering mechanisms that allow malicious actors to inject crafted sql commands through the web interface, potentially compromising the entire underlying database system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malformed category_id parameter value that includes sql payload directives. The application processes this input without proper sanitization, directly embedding it into sql query strings that are then executed against the database backend. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities. The attack vector operates entirely through the web application layer, requiring no special privileges or access to the underlying database system itself.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations utilizing SocialEngine 3.06 trial versions. Remote attackers can execute arbitrary sql commands, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as attackers may escalate privileges, create backdoors, or even delete critical application data. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system. According to the mitre att&ck framework, this vulnerability maps to technique t1190 (exploitation for execution) within the initial access and execution phases of an attack lifecycle.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input sanitization routines that filter out malicious sql characters and keywords before any database interaction occurs. Additionally, developers should adopt prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is never directly embedded into sql command strings. Security patches and updates should be applied immediately to address this vulnerability, as the SocialEngine vendor would have released fixes for this specific issue. Network level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, though they should not be considered a substitute for proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments to prevent such widespread exploitation opportunities that could lead to complete system compromise and data breaches.