CVE-2009-0705 in PowerNews
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in news.php in PowerScripts PowerNews 2.5.4, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the newsid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0705 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PowerScripts PowerNews 2.5.4 content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the news.php script where user input is improperly handled, creating an exploitable condition that enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries. The flaw manifests when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. This configuration setting serves as a fundamental security mechanism in PHP applications, and its absence creates a direct pathway for malicious input to be interpreted as executable SQL commands rather than mere data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the newsid parameter within the news.php script, which accepts user-supplied input without proper sanitization or validation. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, attacker-controlled data flowing through this parameter can contain malicious SQL payloads that bypass normal input filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without adequate escaping or parameterization. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, deletion, or even privilege escalation within the database environment. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise and potential system infiltration.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations relying on PowerNews 2.5.4 for content management, particularly those operating in environments where database security is paramount. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it highly attractive to malicious actors. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services, and T1071.005 which addresses application layer protocol manipulation. Organizations using this software face significant exposure to data breaches, service disruption, and potential compliance violations, especially in regulated environments where data protection is mandatory. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to perform unauthorized database operations that could result in complete information system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of PowerNews or implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within the news.php script. Security professionals should implement parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection regardless of magic_quotes_gpc settings. Additionally, organizations should enforce proper PHP configuration management to ensure magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or implement application-level input filtering. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in legacy applications. Organizations should establish secure coding practices and conduct regular security training for developers to prevent similar injection vulnerabilities in future application development cycles.