CVE-2009-2147 in phpWebThings
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in fdown.php in phpWebThings 1.5.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2147 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the phpWebThings content management system version 1.5.2 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the fdown.php script which processes file download requests, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to compromise the underlying database infrastructure. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, specifically the id parameter that is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category, which classifies SQL injection as a serious weakness in software applications that can lead to complete database compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malicious value through the id parameter in the fdown.php script. The application fails to properly sanitize this input before incorporating it into database queries, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account. This can result in unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure coding standards. According to ATT&CK framework, this maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries leverage weaknesses in web applications to gain unauthorized access to backend systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and establish persistent access within the affected system. Attackers can potentially extract sensitive information including user credentials, application configuration details, and other confidential data stored in the database. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate database but can also serve as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure. Organizations running affected versions of phpWebThings face significant risk of data breaches and system compromise, particularly if the database user account has elevated privileges. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in internet-facing environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2147 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected phpWebThings installations to version 1.5.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Until patching is complete, organizations should implement input validation measures including parameterized queries, proper escaping of special characters, and input length restrictions on the id parameter. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual database access patterns and SQL query execution that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing comprehensive input validation as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for preventing SQL injection attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications within the organization's infrastructure.