CVE-2009-4973 in TotalCalendar
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in rss.php in TotalCalendar 2.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the selectedCal parameter in a SwitchCal action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4973 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the TotalCalendar 2.4 web application that exposes the rss.php component to remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the selectedCal parameter within the SwitchCal action, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database server. The flaw resides in the application's insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms, allowing attackers to manipulate the parameter value and bypass normal database query execution flows. According to the common weakness enumeration framework, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands as a primary weakness. The attack vector leverages the application's failure to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into sql query constructs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exfiltration, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to gain complete control over the database backend. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized data manipulation including data insertion, modification, or deletion operations. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the calendar application's data storage system, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive calendar information, user data, or system credentials stored within the database. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard web browser interfaces, making it particularly dangerous for widely deployed calendar applications.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several tactics, techniques, and procedures outlined in the attack mitigation framework where adversaries can utilize sql injection as a means to establish persistent access to backend systems. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles of defense in depth and least privilege access controls. Organizations utilizing TotalCalendar 2.4 should immediately implement parameterized queries and prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks, alongside comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms. The remediation process requires thorough code review to identify all similar parameter handling patterns and implementation of robust sanitization routines that comply with industry standards including owasp top ten and iso 27001 security controls.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected TotalCalendar 2.4 version, implementation of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts, and deployment of database access controls that limit the privileges of application database users. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous sql query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar flaws in legacy applications. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect sql injection patterns in web applications and provide real-time alerts when suspicious input patterns are detected. Proper security training for developers regarding secure coding practices and sql injection prevention techniques remains essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities in future software deployments.