CVE-2009-3813 in RunCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in RunCMS 2M1 allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) forum parameter to modules/forum/post.php and possibly (2) forum_id variable to modules/forum/class/class.permissions.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3813 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting RunCMS 2M1, a content management system that was widely deployed in web environments during the late 2000s. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the forum module components, creating exploitable pathways for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted user inputs. The specific exposure occurs in two primary locations within the forum functionality where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL command construction without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves authenticated users leveraging their access privileges to manipulate the forum parameter in modules/forum/post.php and the forum_id variable in modules/forum/class/class.permissions.php. These parameters serve as entry points where user input flows directly into database queries without sufficient sanitization, enabling attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the web application's database connection. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper validation or escaping techniques. This weakness allows for complete database compromise including data extraction, modification, or deletion operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage the SQL injection to escalate privileges, extract sensitive user credentials, manipulate forum content, and potentially gain access to underlying system resources. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers need only obtain legitimate user credentials to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user access controls are not properly enforced. This weakness can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, specifically targeting database communication protocols.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3813 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query construction throughout the affected RunCMS components. Organizations should implement prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input cannot alter the structure of SQL commands. Additionally, input sanitization measures including character filtering, length validation, and proper escaping of special SQL characters must be enforced at all entry points. The system should also implement proper access controls and privilege separation to limit the damage potential even if exploitation occurs. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database query patterns that might indicate injection attempts, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems. Organizations using RunCMS should consider immediate migration to supported versions or alternative CMS platforms that have addressed these fundamental security weaknesses through proper secure coding practices and comprehensive input validation mechanisms.