CVE-2009-4796 in glFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the ExecuteQueries function in private/system/classes/listfactory.class.php in glFusion 1.1.2 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) order and (2) direction parameters to search.php.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4796 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the glFusion content management system version 1.1.2 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the ExecuteQueries function located within the private/system/classes/listfactory.class.php file, making it a core component of the application's data handling infrastructure. The flaw specifically affects the search.php script where user-supplied parameters are processed without adequate input validation or sanitization, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through carefully crafted inputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits two distinct parameter vectors within the search functionality: the order parameter and the direction parameter. When these parameters are manipulated by an attacker, they can inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the context of the database connection. This occurs because the application directly incorporates user input into SQL query construction without proper parameterization or input filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input sanitization where the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for systems running affected versions of glFusion. Remote attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, or unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform actions such as reading, modifying, or deleting database records, and could potentially allow privilege escalation or even system compromise if the database user has elevated permissions. Given that this affects the search functionality, which is typically accessible to all users, the attack surface is broad and the exploitation risk is high. The vulnerability essentially provides an attacker with a direct avenue to manipulate the database layer, bypassing application-level security controls and potentially compromising the entire backend infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4796 should prioritize immediate patching of the glFusion application to version 1.1.3 or later, where the SQL injection vulnerabilities have been addressed through proper input validation and parameterization of database queries. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization measures including the use of prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not be relied upon as the sole mitigation. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar injection flaws in other components of the application stack. System administrators should ensure that database users have minimal required permissions and that proper access controls are implemented to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.