CVE-2009-3975 in Moa
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in Moa Gallery 1.1.0 and 1.2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the gallery_id parameter in a gallery_view action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The CVE-2009-3975 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the Moa Gallery content management system version 1.1.0 and 1.2.0. This vulnerability exists within the index.php file where the gallery_id parameter is processed during gallery_view actions, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling, which enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands that bypass normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with the ability to execute unauthorized database operations remotely without requiring authentication. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive information from the database including user credentials, configuration details, and other confidential data. The vulnerability enables full database access and manipulation capabilities, allowing threat actors to modify or delete content, inject malicious code, or even escalate privileges within the affected system. Given that this affects a gallery management system, the potential for data compromise is significant as galleries often contain user-generated content, personal information, and potentially sensitive media assets. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or network to carry out these attacks, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several attack techniques documented in the mitre ATT&CK framework, specifically under the execution and credential access domains. The attack chain typically involves initial reconnaissance to identify vulnerable systems, followed by exploitation using crafted sql injection payloads targeting the gallery_id parameter. The attack pattern demonstrates characteristics of persistent threats that can maintain long-term access to compromised systems. Organizations running affected Moa Gallery versions face significant risk as this vulnerability was present in widely distributed software versions, making it a common target for automated scanning tools and exploit kits. The vulnerability also represents a classic case of insufficient input sanitization, which is a fundamental security control failure that affects numerous web applications across different platforms and technologies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3975 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions of Moa Gallery that address the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries and prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks, ensuring that all user inputs are properly escaped or validated before being incorporated into database queries. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened to reject malformed or suspicious input patterns, particularly those containing sql keywords or special characters. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks. Additionally, web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for sql injection patterns and suspicious database query attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping all software components updated and maintaining comprehensive patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known security flaws.