CVE-2009-4865 in I-Escorts Directory Script
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in escorts_search.php in I-Escorts Directory Script and Agency Script, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) search_name and (2) languages parameters. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4865 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting I-Escorts Directory Script and Agency Script versions that are vulnerable when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled. This security weakness resides within the escorts_search.php file, which processes user input through two distinct parameters: search_name and languages. The vulnerability manifests when the web application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructions, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted input sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP request parameters that are directly passed to database queries without adequate input validation or sanitization. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, the web application lacks automatic escaping of special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data, leaving the application susceptible to SQL injection attacks. Attackers can craft malicious inputs that append additional SQL commands to the original query structure, potentially allowing them to extract, modify, or delete database contents, bypass authentication mechanisms, or even execute system commands depending on the underlying database system and its configuration.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected web application and its underlying database. Remote attackers can exploit these weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to sensitive user data including personal information, contact details, and potentially financial data stored within the escort directory system. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers may escalate privileges, modify database structures, or even establish persistent backdoors within the application environment. The vulnerability affects the core search functionality of the directory script, making it particularly dangerous as legitimate users may unknowingly trigger malicious code execution during normal operation.
The weakness aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities in software applications. This classification indicates that the vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insufficient data sanitization practices within the application's data handling procedures. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability requires only basic knowledge of SQL injection techniques and can be exploited remotely without authentication. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries target vulnerabilities in externally accessible web applications to gain unauthorized access to systems and data.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent malicious SQL code from being executed. The most effective immediate fix involves enabling magic_quotes_gpc or implementing comprehensive input sanitization routines that properly escape or filter special characters in user-supplied data. Additionally, developers should adopt prepared statements and parameterized queries to separate SQL command structure from data content, ensuring that user input cannot alter the intended execution flow of database queries. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, while implementing proper access controls and database permissions to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.