CVE-2009-4883 in PHPRecipeBook
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in PHPRecipeBook 2.24 and 2.39 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) base_id or (2) course_id parameter in a search action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The CVE-2009-4883 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in PHPRecipeBook version 2.24 and 2.39, specifically affecting the index.php file during search operations. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, creating an avenue for remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database query structure. The flaw manifests when the application processes the base_id or course_id parameters during search actions, allowing malicious input to be directly incorporated into sql statements without proper sanitization or parameterization. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89, which categorizes sql injection as a persistent threat that enables unauthorized data access and manipulation. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, or unauthorized access to sensitive user information stored within the application's backend systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input for either the base_id or course_id parameters in the search functionality of PHPRecipeBook. When these parameters are processed through the index.php file, the application fails to properly validate or escape user input before incorporating it into database queries. This allows attackers to inject sql payload that can manipulate the intended query execution, potentially bypassing authentication mechanisms, extracting confidential data, or even modifying database contents. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet. According to the attack technique framework, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of sql injection to gain access to sensitive data or execute unauthorized commands within database systems. The lack of proper input validation creates a direct path for attackers to manipulate the application's database interaction layer, essentially allowing them to control the sql execution flow through carefully crafted malicious input strings.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4883 extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing potential system compromise and business disruption for organizations using vulnerable PHPRecipeBook installations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract recipe data, user credentials, or personal information stored in the database, potentially leading to identity theft or unauthorized access to user accounts. The vulnerability also presents a risk for data integrity breaches, where attackers might modify or delete recipe entries, corrupting the application's data repository. Organizations relying on PHPRecipeBook for recipe management or culinary sharing platforms face significant operational risks, including loss of customer trust, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences. The vulnerability's exploitation could also serve as a stepping stone for further attacks, as compromised database access often provides attackers with additional information about system architecture and potential other vulnerabilities within the network ecosystem. The widespread use of PHPRecipeBook in small business and personal recipe management systems makes this vulnerability particularly concerning, as many affected installations may lack proper security monitoring or patch management processes, creating extended windows of exposure for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4883 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements within the PHPRecipeBook application environment. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application's codebase, specifically within the index.php file where the vulnerability occurs. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of PHPRecipeBook that addresses this vulnerability, as the original versions 2.24 and 2.39 are no longer supported and lack security updates. Implementing proper input sanitization techniques, including the use of prepared statements and proper escape sequences, will prevent malicious sql code from being executed. Security measures should also include input length restrictions, character set validation, and comprehensive logging of search queries to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against sql injection attacks. According to industry best practices and security frameworks, organizations should also implement regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in other applications within their environment, ensuring that the remediation efforts extend beyond this specific vulnerability to prevent future sql injection incidents. The implementation of proper security controls should align with standards such as owasp top ten and iso 27001 security requirements, establishing comprehensive protection against sql injection and related database vulnerabilities.