CVE-2009-1404 in Pastel
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in admin.php in PastelCMS 0.8.0, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the user (Username) parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1404 represents a critical sql injection flaw within PastelCMS version 0.8.0 that specifically targets the administrative interface. This vulnerability exists in the admin.php script and manifests when the php configuration directive magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, creating an environment where malicious input can bypass standard sanitization mechanisms. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary sql commands directly through the username parameter, effectively compromising the entire database backend.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the user parameter in the admin.php script where user input is directly concatenated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the php application fails to automatically escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data, leaving the application susceptible to sql injection attacks. Attackers can craft malicious username inputs that contain sql payload sequences designed to manipulate the underlying database queries, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, executing administrative commands, or even escalating privileges within the cms system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential full administrative control over the affected cms installation. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to extract user credentials, modify content, delete database entries, or establish persistent backdoors within the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative interface, meaning successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise. Organizations running PastelCMS 0.8.0 without magic_quotes_gpc enabled face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which defines sql injection as the insertion of malicious sql code into input fields for execution by the database. The attack pattern corresponds to the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 which addresses exploitation of remote services. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the critical importance of proper sql query construction using parameterized statements rather than string concatenation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling magic_quotes_gpc, implementing proper input sanitization, and upgrading to patched versions of PastelCMS. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of sql traffic can help detect exploitation attempts and limit the potential damage from such attacks.