CVE-2009-3439 in OSSIM
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Open Source Security Information Management (OSSIM) before 2.1.2 allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id_document parameter to (1) repository_document.php, (2) repository_links.php, and (3) repository_editdocument.php in repository/; the (4) group parameter to policy/getpolicy.php; the name parameter to (5) host/newhostgroupform.php and (6) net/modifynetform.php; and unspecified other vectors related to the policy menu.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2025
The CVE-2009-3439 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw in Open Source Security Information Management (OSSIM) version 2.1.1 and earlier, which exposes multiple attack vectors that can be exploited by authenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, a well-documented weakness that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input. The flaw affects the core repository functionality of OSSIM, a security information and event management system designed to monitor and analyze security events across network infrastructure. The vulnerability impacts multiple components within the application's codebase, creating a wide attack surface that can be leveraged for database compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through several specific parameters within different PHP scripts that handle user input without proper sanitization or parameterized query construction. The id_document parameter in repository_document.php, repository_links.php, and repository_editdocument.php represents one of the primary attack vectors where malicious input can be injected into SQL queries. Additionally, the group parameter in policy/getpolicy.php and the name parameters in host/newhostgroupform.php and net/modifynetform.php provide further opportunities for SQL injection attacks. These parameters are processed within the application's backend without adequate input validation or escaping mechanisms, allowing attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted payloads that can extract, modify, or delete sensitive data. The unspecified other vectors related to the policy menu indicate that the vulnerability may extend beyond the documented parameters, suggesting a systemic issue with input handling throughout the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as authenticated users can leverage these injection points to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system. Successful exploitation could result in data exfiltration, data corruption, or complete database compromise, potentially exposing sensitive security information, user credentials, or network configurations. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, and the authenticated requirement reduces the attack surface complexity while still maintaining a significant risk profile. Organizations using OSSIM versions prior to 2.1.2 face potential breaches that could compromise their security monitoring capabilities and expose their network infrastructure to further attacks. The impact extends beyond immediate data loss, as compromised database access can enable attackers to manipulate security policies, alter monitoring configurations, or establish persistent access points within the network security infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3439 primarily focus on immediate remediation through the official OSSIM 2.1.2 update, which addresses the identified SQL injection vulnerabilities through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. System administrators should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries for all database interactions, which aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer attacks. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit the scope of potential exploitation, particularly restricting access to administrative functions. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications, as this vulnerability demonstrates poor input handling practices that may exist elsewhere in the codebase. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous SQL queries that could indicate exploitation attempts, and establish proper patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all security infrastructure components.