CVE-2009-4982 in Irokez CMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the select function in Irokez CMS 0.7.1, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the PATH_INFO to the default URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2025
The CVE-2009-4982 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Irokez CMS version 0.7.1 that exploits a fundamental security oversight in input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the select function within the content management system's core architecture, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted http requests. The flaw becomes particularly dangerous when the php configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters that would normally protect against such attacks. This configuration setting essentially removes a crucial defensive layer that would have otherwise neutralized the malicious input before it could affect the database operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the PATH_INFO component of http requests directed to the default uri of the cms installation. When an attacker crafts a malicious request with specially formatted input in the PATH_INFO parameter, the vulnerable select function fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before incorporating it into sql queries. This allows the attacker to inject additional sql commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account under which the cms operates. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and output encoding that violates fundamental secure coding principles and represents a clear violation of CWE-89 sql injection weakness classification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise, unauthorized data modification, privilege escalation, and potential system takeover. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and system configurations that could facilitate further attacks. The remote nature of this exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to carry out the attack, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications and represents a common attack vector that has been consistently observed in web application security assessments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4982 should focus on immediate remediation through input validation and parameterized queries implementation. The most effective immediate fix involves upgrading to a patched version of Irokez CMS that properly sanitizes input parameters before database operations. Organizations should implement proper input validation at multiple layers including application code level, web application firewalls, and database access controls. The use of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application to prevent sql injection regardless of configuration settings. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous sql query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while access controls should be reviewed to ensure that database accounts have minimal required privileges to reduce potential impact from successful attacks.