CVE-2009-2776 in Smart ASP Survey
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in showresult.asp in Smart ASP Survey allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the catid parameter.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2776 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Smart ASP Survey application's showresult.asp component. This weakness specifically manifests through the catid parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the underlying database query execution process. The vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a persistent threat that allows attackers to manipulate database operations through improperly validated input fields.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the showresult.asp script processes user input from the catid parameter without adequate sanitization or parameterization. When an attacker submits malicious SQL code through this parameter, the application's query construction logic incorporates the injected commands directly into the database execution sequence, bypassing normal security controls and authentication mechanisms. This flaw enables unauthorized users to perform operations such as data extraction, modification, deletion, or even administrative actions on the database system. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates at the application layer, allowing attackers to potentially escalate privileges and access sensitive information stored within the survey database.
From an operational perspective, this SQL injection vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing Smart ASP Survey for data collection and analysis. The remote execution capability means that attackers can exploit this flaw from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. The potential consequences include unauthorized data access, data corruption, complete database compromise, and in severe cases, system takeover. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the critical issue of injection flaws that continue to rank among the most prevalent security weaknesses in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2776 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied input, particularly the catid parameter in this case, undergoes rigorous sanitization before being processed in database operations. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries represents the most effective defense mechanism against SQL injection attacks, as these approaches separate the SQL command structure from the data being processed. Additionally, comprehensive security testing including dynamic and static analysis should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase, while adherence to secure coding practices as defined by the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and NIST guidelines will help prevent future occurrences of such flaws. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of SQL injection for executing malicious commands and accessing sensitive data within database systems.