CVE-2009-5091 in Vlinks
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in page.php in Vlinks 1.0.3 and 1.1.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-5091 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Vlinks web application version 1.0.3 and 1.1.6. This vulnerability exists in the page.php component where user input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The specific weakness lies in the handling of the id parameter which serves as the entry point for malicious input manipulation. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database engine. This particular flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding that enables attackers to bypass normal authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious SQL commands through the id parameter in page.php. The application processes this input without proper sanitization or parameterization, allowing the injected SQL code to execute within the database context. This enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, or deletion. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers can potentially escalate privileges, extract sensitive information from the database, or even compromise the entire database server. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive user data or business-critical information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using affected Vlinks versions as it creates multiple attack vectors for potential compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to automated attack tools and malicious actors seeking to exploit weak web applications. The vulnerability affects the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the targeted system, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations. Organizations may face legal and financial consequences from unauthorized access to databases containing sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or proprietary business information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-5091 should focus on immediate remediation through input validation and parameterized queries. The most effective approach involves implementing proper input sanitization techniques where all user-supplied data is validated against expected formats and ranges before being processed. Database query parameterization should be implemented to separate SQL command structure from data values, preventing malicious code injection. Additionally, organizations should apply the latest security patches provided by Vlinks developers, as this vulnerability was likely addressed in subsequent releases. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the application architecture. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege when designing web applications, as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including those referenced in the ATT&CK framework for application layer attacks.