CVE-2009-3361 in PHP-IPNMonitor
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in PHP-IPNMonitor allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the maincat_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3361 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHP-IPNMonitor application, specifically affecting the index.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of the maincat_id parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious SQL command execution. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL code through this parameter, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89, which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by a database. The technical implementation involves the application failing to properly sanitize or escape user input before incorporating it into SQL query constructs. When the maincat_id parameter is processed without adequate input validation, the application becomes susceptible to unauthorized database access and manipulation. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input sanitization that violates fundamental secure coding practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands with the privileges of the database user account. This could result in complete database compromise, including data exfiltration, data modification, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential privilege escalation within the database environment. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. Input validation and parameterized queries represent the primary mitigation strategies, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before database interaction. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database user privilege management can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews, particularly for applications handling user input. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 for SQL injection attacks. The remediation process requires immediate patching of the affected application, followed by comprehensive security testing to ensure no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the codebase.