CVE-2009-1282 in glFusion
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in private/system/lib-session.php in glFusion 1.1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the glf_session cookie parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1282 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the glFusion content management system version 1.1.2 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the private/system/lib-session.php file which handles session management functionality. The flaw occurs when the system processes the glf_session cookie parameter without proper input validation or sanitization, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the database layer. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without adequate protection mechanisms. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely through manipulation of the session cookie parameter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic sql injection pattern where user-controllable input from the glf_session cookie is directly concatenated into sql query strings without proper parameterization or escaping. When an attacker crafts a malicious session cookie value containing sql payload characters, the system processes this input through the vulnerable lib-session.php script, resulting in the execution of unintended sql commands against the underlying database. This flaw enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, deletion, and potentially system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core session management functionality which is fundamental to user authentication and authorization within the glFusion framework, making it a critical target for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification to potentially compromise the entire system integrity. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, gain persistent access, or extract sensitive information from the database including user credentials, configuration details, and application data. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or network, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for web applications. According to the attack tactics framework, this vulnerability aligns with the initial access and privilege escalation phases of the kill chain, as it provides a foothold for further exploitation. The vulnerability also represents a failure in input validation and output encoding practices that should be implemented as part of secure coding standards. Organizations running glFusion versions prior to the patched release face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential system compromise through this attack vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1282 should focus on immediate patch application to the glFusion system, as this vulnerability was addressed in later versions through proper input sanitization and parameterized query implementation. System administrators should implement proper cookie validation mechanisms and ensure that all session management components properly escape or parameterize user input before database processing. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation rules can provide additional protection layers. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual session cookie patterns and sql query execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web applications to identify similar input validation flaws in other components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding practices including the principle of least privilege, proper input validation, and the use of parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. This case serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security updates and the implementation of defense-in-depth strategies to protect web applications from sql injection vulnerabilities.