CVE-2009-3185 in Crazy Star plugin
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in plugin.php in the Crazy Star plugin 2.0 for Discuz! allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the fmid parameter in a view action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3185 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Crazy Star plugin version 2.0 for the popular Discuz environment, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate user access to escalate privileges and execute unauthorized database operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database. In this case, the fmid parameter serves as the injection vector where user-supplied data flows directly into SQL query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. When an authenticated user submits a crafted fmid value through the view action, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into database queries, enabling attackers to manipulate the underlying SQL execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the affected Discuz! database. This can result in complete database compromise including unauthorized data access, modification of forum content, user account manipulation, and potential lateral movement within the compromised environment. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers do not require external network access or special privileges beyond legitimate user credentials, making the exploitation more straightforward and the attack surface more extensive.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a prime example of how third-party plugins can introduce critical security gaps into established platforms, particularly when proper input validation and output encoding practices are not implemented. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1071.004 for application layer protocols and T1566 for credential harvesting, as it enables both unauthorized database access and potential credential compromise through user account manipulation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including plugin updates, input validation enforcement, and database query parameterization to prevent exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to the patched version of the Crazy Star plugin or removing the vulnerable plugin entirely from affected Discuz! installations. Additionally, implementing proper input validation through parameterized queries and input sanitization techniques will prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting in other parts of the application. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that application accounts have minimal required privileges, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security auditing of third-party components and maintaining up-to-date vulnerability intelligence will help prevent similar issues from occurring in future deployments.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and the potential for seemingly minor implementation flaws to create significant security risks. Organizations should establish comprehensive security testing procedures that include dynamic application security testing and input validation reviews to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in production environments. This particular vulnerability serves as a reminder that even authenticated users can be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized access to backend systems, emphasizing the need for robust access controls and continuous security monitoring throughout the application lifecycle.