CVE-2009-2018 in MyCars
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in admin/index.php in Jared Eckersley MyCars, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the authuserid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2018 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the MyCars application developed by Jared Eckersley. This vulnerability specifically affects the administrative interface component located at admin/index.php, making it a target for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to the underlying database system. The flaw manifests when the php configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data. This configuration setting, while deprecated in modern php versions, was commonly encountered in legacy systems and creates a dangerous attack surface when combined with improper input validation practices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the authuserid parameter, which serves as an authentication identifier within the administrative interface. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload targeting this parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before incorporating it into sql query structures. This omission allows attackers to inject arbitrary sql commands that execute with the privileges of the web application's database user. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which classifies sql injection as a weakness that occurs when an application fails to properly escape user input before using it in sql queries. The attack vector leverages the fundamental principle that unvalidated user input can be interpreted as executable code within database contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with complete control over the application's database backend. Successful exploitation enables unauthorized users to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and application configuration details. The vulnerability also permits attackers to modify or delete database records, potentially leading to complete system compromise. From an adversary perspective, this represents a high-value target within the attack lifecycle as it aligns with the initial access and privilege escalation phases defined in the attack tactics framework. The vulnerability's exploitation fits within the attack pattern described by the attack technique T1190 which encompasses sql injection attacks and their associated data exfiltration capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of multiple defensive layers. The primary remediation involves enabling proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the application code, specifically addressing the authuserid parameter in the admin/index.php file. Implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries would effectively neutralize the sql injection risk regardless of magic_quotes_gpc settings. Additionally, the application should enforce proper authentication mechanisms and implement input sanitization routines that validate and filter all user-supplied data. Security hardening practices should include disabling magic_quotes_gpc in php configurations and implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block sql injection patterns. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive code reviews and vulnerability assessments to identify similar patterns throughout the application codebase, as this vulnerability demonstrates a broader class of input validation failures that commonly exist in legacy web applications. The remediation process should align with security best practices outlined in industry standards such as the owasp top ten and iso 27001 requirements for secure application development.