CVE-2010-4987 in Guestbook
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in default.asp in KMSoft Guestbook (aka GBook) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the p parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2024
The CVE-2010-4987 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in KMSoft Guestbook version 1.0, specifically within the default.asp script that handles guestbook entries. This vulnerability resides in the parameter processing logic where user input from the 'p' parameter is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql code through the web interface, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the underlying database system. The vulnerability affects the guestbook functionality where visitors submit comments and entries, making it a persistent risk for any website utilizing this software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices within the web application's backend processing. When the 'p' parameter is received through http requests, the application concatenates this input directly into sql statements without employing proper sql parameterization techniques or input filtering mechanisms. This creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can inject sql commands that will be executed by the database engine. The vulnerability is classified under cwe-89, which specifically addresses sql injection flaws, and aligns with attack techniques documented in the mitre att&ck framework under the command and control category where adversaries use sql injection to establish persistent access to database systems. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with comprehensive database access capabilities including read, write, and delete operations. An attacker could potentially extract sensitive information from database tables, modify guestbook entries to include malicious content, or even escalate privileges to gain administrative access to the database server itself. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the server and can leverage this flaw from anywhere on the internet. This represents a significant risk for websites hosting guestbooks, as the vulnerability can be exploited by automated scanning tools and increases the attack surface for more sophisticated attacks targeting the entire web application infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4987 should prioritize immediate application of security patches provided by the software vendor or implementation of proper input validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks, ensuring that user input is properly escaped or validated before being processed. Additionally, web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block sql injection patterns, while database access controls should be implemented to limit the privileges of database accounts used by the web application. Network segmentation and monitoring systems should be deployed to detect suspicious database access patterns, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to ensure that the implemented fixes do not introduce functional regressions in the guestbook application's legitimate features.