CVE-2009-1208 in auth2db
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in auth2db 0.2.5, and possibly other versions before 0.2.7, uses the addslashes function instead of the mysql_real_escape_string function, which allows remote attackers to conduct SQL injection attacks using multibyte character encodings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1208 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in the auth2db authentication system version 0.2.5 and earlier releases. This vulnerability stems from the improper handling of user input during database query construction, specifically utilizing the addslashes function rather than the more robust mysql_real_escape_string function. The flaw creates a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious SQL commands against the underlying database system, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability's exploitation becomes particularly dangerous when multibyte character encodings are employed, as these encoding schemes can bypass traditional input sanitization mechanisms that rely on single-byte character processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation and sanitization practices within the auth2db software. When the addslashes function processes user input, it only escapes single and double quotes along with backslashes, leaving multibyte character sequences unaddressed. This creates a scenario where attackers can craft input strings that contain multibyte characters that, when processed through the addslashes function, do not properly escape the database query structure. The mysql_real_escape_string function, in contrast, is specifically designed to handle all special characters in SQL queries including those from multibyte encodings, providing comprehensive protection against SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into query statements, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in authentication systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive user authentication information, including credentials and session data. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to extract user accounts, modify authentication records, or even escalate privileges within the system. The use of multibyte character encodings makes this attack vector particularly insidious because it can bypass standard security filters and intrusion detection systems that are designed to detect simple SQL injection attempts. Organizations using affected versions of auth2db face significant risk of unauthorized access to their authentication databases, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to protected resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1208 require immediate action to upgrade to version 0.2.7 or later, which implements proper input sanitization using mysql_real_escape_string. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures including input validation at multiple layers, database query parameterization, and regular security audits of authentication systems. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper database interaction practices and highlights the necessity of using industry-standard functions designed specifically for SQL injection prevention. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of keeping authentication systems updated and the dangers of relying on inadequate input sanitization methods that fail to account for complex character encoding scenarios.