CVE-2009-3040 in OCS Inventory NG
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Open Computer and Software (OCS) Inventory NG 1.02 for Unix allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) N, (2) DL, (3) O and (4) V parameters to download.php and the (5) SYSTEMID parameter to group_show.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2025
The CVE-2009-3040 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Open Computer and Software Inventory NG version 1.02 for Unix systems, exposing multiple pathways for remote SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability affects the OCS Inventory NG software suite, which is widely used for inventory management and asset tracking in enterprise environments. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's handling of user-supplied data, creating exploitable entry points that malicious actors can leverage to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through five distinct parameter injection points across two separate PHP scripts. The primary attack vectors include the N, DL, O, and V parameters within the download.php file, as well as the SYSTEMID parameter in group_show.php. These parameters receive user input without proper sanitization or parameterized query construction, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that bypasses normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which describes SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or validation, making it one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security weaknesses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise, unauthorized access to sensitive inventory information, and potential lateral movement within affected networks. Attackers can leverage these injection points to extract confidential data including system configurations, user credentials, and inventory records that may contain sensitive business information. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system or local network presence, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations with remote access capabilities or public-facing inventory systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control communications, as attackers can use the compromised system to further their objectives.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address the security risk. The most critical remediation involves applying the official security patch released by the OCS Inventory NG development team, which addresses the input validation issues in the vulnerable PHP scripts. Additionally, implementing proper parameterized queries and input sanitization mechanisms across all application components will provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the vulnerable systems, while regular security audits and penetration testing can help identify other potential injection points within the application stack. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and following OWASP Top Ten security guidelines to prevent SQL injection attacks in web applications.