CVE-2009-1409 in e107
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in usersettings.php in e107 0.7.15 and earlier, when "Extended User Fields" is enabled and magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the hide parameter, a different vector than CVE-2005-4224 and CVE-2008-5320.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1409 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the e107 content management system version 0.7.15 and earlier. This weakness specifically targets the usersettings.php script and becomes exploitable under particular configuration conditions that create a dangerous intersection of system settings and user input handling. The vulnerability operates through the hide parameter within the Extended User Fields functionality, making it distinct from previously identified similar issues such as CVE-2005-4224 and CVE-2008-5320 which employed different attack vectors. The exploitation potential becomes particularly severe when the server configuration has magic_quotes_gpc disabled, removing crucial automatic escaping mechanisms that would otherwise protect against malformed input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the usersettings.php script. When Extended User Fields is enabled, the application processes user-provided data through the hide parameter without proper escaping or parameterized query construction. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary SQL commands directly into the database query execution pipeline. The vulnerability manifests because the application assumes that user input will be properly formatted and does not implement sufficient sanitization measures before incorporating the hide parameter into database queries. The specific conditions required for exploitation include having Extended User Fields functionality active while simultaneously running with magic_quotes_gpc disabled, which represents a common misconfiguration in web server environments where developers disable this feature for various operational reasons.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database system, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive user information. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it allows for privilege escalation and persistent backdoor installation through database manipulation. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to extract user credentials, modify user permissions, or even inject malicious code that could propagate throughout the system. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal prerequisites beyond standard web application access and does not require elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous for widely deployed systems. The attack vector through the hide parameter suggests that even seemingly benign user settings modifications could serve as entry points for sophisticated database attacks.
The security implications extend beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in input validation and sanitization processes. The attack pattern corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1046, which involves network service scanning that could be used to identify vulnerable systems. Organizations running affected e107 versions should immediately implement mitigations including disabling Extended User Fields if not required, enabling magic_quotes_gpc, or implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to patched versions of e107, as the vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that cannot be adequately addressed through workarounds. Additionally, network segmentation and database access controls should be implemented to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.