CVE-2009-4862 in Alwasel
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Alwasel 1.5 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter to (1) show.php and (2) xml.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4862 represents a critical security flaw in the Alwasel 1.5 content management system that exposes multiple pathways for remote code execution through SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability affects two distinct script files within the application's architecture, specifically show.php and xml.php, both of which process user input through the id parameter without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw resides in the application's failure to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. When an attacker submits malicious input through the id parameter in either show.php or xml.php, the application processes this input directly within SQL query construction without proper input validation or parameterization. This creates a scenario where attackers can inject additional SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account associated with the application's database connection. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates over remote network connections, requiring no local system access or authentication credentials to exploit the vulnerability.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4862 extends beyond simple data manipulation to encompass complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to retrieve sensitive information from the database including user credentials, personal data, and application configuration details. The vulnerability also permits attackers to modify or delete database records, potentially corrupting application data or disrupting service availability. In more severe scenarios, attackers might gain elevated privileges within the database system, allowing them to execute operating system commands or establish persistent backdoors within the affected environment. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. The primary remediation approach involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, particularly in the affected show.php and xml.php scripts. The application should employ prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from user input data, eliminating the possibility of SQL injection through direct input concatenation. Additionally, implementing proper output encoding and input sanitization mechanisms will help prevent attackers from crafting malicious payloads that could bypass basic validation checks. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional detection and blocking capabilities. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of SQL injection for privilege escalation and data access, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls that address both the technical flaw and potential exploitation pathways. Organizations should also conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of their application infrastructure, as this represents a common class of weakness that affects numerous web applications.