CVE-2010-4269 in Collabtive
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in managechat.php in Collabtive 0.65 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the chatstart[USERTOID] cookie in a pull action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4269 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Collabtive 0.65 web application, specifically affecting the managechat.php component. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the chatstart[USERTOID] cookie parameter during pull actions. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands directly into the database query execution flow, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or validate the chatstart[USERTOID] cookie value before incorporating it into SQL queries. When a user performs a pull action, the application retrieves this cookie value and directly interpolates it into database queries without adequate sanitization measures. This practice violates fundamental security principles and creates an exploitable entry point for attackers to manipulate the underlying database system. The vulnerability operates under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper escaping or validation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations utilizing Collabtive 0.65 as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands remotely. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise. Attackers might extract sensitive user information, modify chat records, or even escalate privileges within the application. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web-based collaboration platforms.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate data compromise to include potential long-term security implications for the entire system. Database administrators and security teams must consider the possibility of persistent backdoors being established through SQL injection attacks, as well as the potential for cascading effects if the compromised database contains authentication credentials or other sensitive system information. Organizations running this vulnerable version of Collabtive face increased risk of data breaches and regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments subject to strict data protection requirements.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the Collabtive application to version 0.66 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries would prevent similar issues in the future. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious SQL injection patterns, while establishing robust database access controls and monitoring mechanisms. The remediation process should include thorough security testing of all user input handling components and adherence to secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper input validation and the potential consequences of inadequate security measures in collaborative web applications.