CVE-2009-4204 in Flashlight Free Edition
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in read.php in Flashlight Free Edition allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4204 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the flashlight free edition web application specifically in the read.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user input through the id parameter, which is processed without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database query execution flow, potentially compromising the entire backend database infrastructure. The vulnerability affects versions of the flashlight free edition that fail to implement proper input validation techniques, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into sql queries. When the id parameter is passed to read.php, the application directly concatenates this input into database queries without appropriate sanitization measures. This design flaw allows attackers to manipulate the sql execution context by injecting malicious sql syntax through the id parameter, effectively bypassing normal authentication and authorization controls. The vulnerability is classified as a classic sql injection attack vector that operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the data access layer of the web application.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe consequences for affected organizations and users. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive data from the database, including user credentials, personal information, and business-critical data. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers may also modify or delete database records, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or insider knowledge to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications. Additionally, this vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for further attacks, potentially enabling privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary mitigation involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to ensure that user input cannot alter the intended sql query structure. Applications should utilize prepared statements or stored procedures that separate sql logic from user data, preventing malicious input from being interpreted as sql commands. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database permissions can limit the damage that can be caused by successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious sql injection patterns and block malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable application components.
This vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications. The attack pattern corresponds to the techniques described in the attack tree framework under the ATT&CK methodology, particularly within the credential access and defense evasion domains. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security design. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar flaws in their application code, as sql injection remains one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security vulnerabilities. The remediation efforts should include comprehensive code reviews, security training for development teams, and implementation of automated security testing processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future application releases.