CVE-2009-4551 in Miniweb
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Survey Pro module for Miniweb 2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the campaign_id parameter in a results action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
The CVE-2009-4551 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Survey Pro module of Miniweb 2.0 content management system. This vulnerability specifically targets the campaign_id parameter within the results action of the index.php script, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql query constructions. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a persistent security flaw where untrusted data is directly embedded into sql commands without proper sanitization. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and system configurations from the database. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for web applications exposed to public internet access. Attackers can construct malicious sql payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms, escalate privileges, or even execute operating system commands if the database server permits such operations. The attack surface is further expanded because the vulnerability affects the survey module's results functionality, which is likely accessed by multiple users and potentially integrated with other system components. This vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the attack technique framework including technique T1190 for exploit public-facing applications and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4551 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to ensure that user-supplied data cannot alter the intended sql query structure. This includes using prepared statements or stored procedures that separate sql code from data, preventing malicious input from being interpreted as executable sql commands. Additionally, implementing proper output encoding and input sanitization routines will help prevent attackers from injecting malicious sql fragments. The system should also employ principle of least privilege for database connections, ensuring that applications use accounts with minimal required permissions. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses across the entire application stack. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious sql injection patterns, while maintaining comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation as outlined in the owasp top ten project, specifically addressing the sql injection category as one of the most prevalent web application security risks. Regular updates and patch management processes should be established to ensure that known vulnerabilities in third-party modules like Miniweb are promptly addressed through official vendor patches or alternative security measures.