CVE-2009-2735 in OpenNews
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in admin.php in sun-jester OpenNews 1.0, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the username parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The CVE-2009-2735 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the sun-jester OpenNews 1.0 content management system that specifically targets the admin.php administrative interface. This vulnerability emerges when the php configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, creating a dangerous condition where user input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The affected parameter username in the admin.php script serves as the primary attack vector, allowing malicious actors to manipulate database operations through carefully crafted input sequences. The vulnerability classification aligns with cwe-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications. This flaw directly violates the principle of input validation and demonstrates a fundamental failure in secure coding practices within the open source content management system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the username parameter in the admin.php script without proper input sanitization. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, php does not automatically escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data, leaving the application vulnerable to sql injection attacks. The attacker can construct sql commands within the username field that get executed directly against the backend database, potentially allowing full administrative access, data extraction, modification, or even complete database compromise. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on user input for authentication and administrative functions. The attack surface is significantly expanded when the application uses dynamic sql construction without proper parameterization or input validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-2735 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and unauthorized administrative access. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized modification of news articles, deletion of content, user account manipulation, and potential escalation to full system control depending on database permissions. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected web application and its underlying data. Organizations running sun-jester OpenNews 1.0 without proper input validation measures face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability also demonstrates the critical importance of proper php configuration management, as disabling magic_quotes_gpc without implementing alternative input sanitization measures creates dangerous security holes. This flaw represents a classic example of how insecure coding practices combined with misconfigured server environments can create exploitable conditions that align with attack techniques described in the mitre attack framework under the execution and privilege escalation categories.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2735 require immediate implementation of multiple defensive measures to protect against sql injection attacks. The primary recommendation involves enabling proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied data, particularly in administrative interfaces where the username parameter is processed. Implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries in the database layer provides robust protection against sql injection by separating sql code from data. Organizations should also ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or implement alternative input sanitization measures when this feature is disabled. Regular security auditing of web applications, including input validation checks and sql injection testing, helps identify similar vulnerabilities. The fix involves updating to a patched version of sun-jester OpenNews 1.0 or implementing proper input sanitization measures that align with secure coding practices and industry standards such as those outlined in the owasp top ten. Additionally, network segmentation and application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive security controls that address both application-level and server-level configuration issues.