CVE-2009-1023 in phpComasy
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in phpComasy 0.9.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the entry_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1023 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the phpComasy content management system version 0.9.1. This security weakness resides in the index.php script where the entry_id parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted HTTP requests. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a high-risk weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog due to its potential for unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The specific nature of this flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the improper handling of user-supplied input in the entry_id parameter, which is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without appropriate escaping or parameterization mechanisms. When an attacker submits a malicious entry_id value containing SQL payload characters such as single quotes, semicolons, or union select statements, the application fails to sanitize this input before incorporating it into database queries. This oversight enables attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the database user account associated with the phpComasy application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for blind SQL injection techniques and can be leveraged to extract sensitive information from the database, including administrative credentials, user data, and system configuration details.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents severe consequences for organizations utilizing phpComasy 0.9.1, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform unauthorized database operations. Successful exploitation could result in data breaches, unauthorized account access, data corruption, or complete system takeover. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit this weakness. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, representing common attack patterns used by threat actors targeting web applications. Organizations running vulnerable versions face significant risk of compromise, particularly in environments where the application has database administrator privileges or contains sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1023 should prioritize immediate patching of the phpComasy application to version 0.9.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. In the interim, administrators can implement input validation measures such as whitelisting acceptable entry_id values, implementing proper parameterized queries, and employing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. The use of least privilege database accounts for the application, along with regular database query auditing, can help minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database access patterns and SQL injection attack signatures, while network segmentation and access controls can limit the attack surface for compromised systems. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential SQL injection vulnerabilities within their web applications and ensure proper security configuration of database connections and access controls.