CVE-2009-3758 in XenCenterWeb
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in login.php in sample code in the XenServer Resource Kit in Citrix XenCenterWeb allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the username parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3758 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the XenServer Resource Kit sample code distributed by Citrix through XenCenterWeb. This vulnerability specifically targets the login.php script which serves as a demonstration component within the broader XenServer management framework. The issue arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The username parameter in the login.php file becomes a vector for malicious input manipulation, allowing unauthorized individuals to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the underlying database system.
This security flaw operates at the intersection of multiple cybersecurity domains, particularly aligning with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental weakness in application security. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive database information. The exploitation occurs when a remote attacker submits maliciously crafted input through the username parameter, which then gets processed without proper sanitization or parameterization. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled SQL code can be executed within the context of the database connection, potentially leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, or complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass to encompass broader security implications within virtualized environments. Organizations utilizing Citrix XenCenterWeb for XenServer management would face significant risks if this vulnerability were exploited, as it could provide attackers with access to virtual machine configurations, user credentials, and other sensitive infrastructure data. The sample code nature of this vulnerability means that it was likely intended for demonstration purposes but was inadvertently deployed in production environments, highlighting the critical importance of proper code review and security testing before deployment. The vulnerability's presence in the resource kit suggests a potential gap in security practices during the development and distribution of sample applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3758 should prioritize immediate remediation through proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations must ensure that all user inputs are properly sanitized and validated before being processed in database operations, implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of all deployed applications, particularly those containing sample or demonstration code, to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Regular security updates and patch management processes are essential to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities, while network segmentation and access controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to limit potential impact should exploitation occur. The incident underscores the necessity of treating all code components, regardless of their intended purpose, with the same security rigor required for production systems.