CVE-2011-5201 in tinyguestbook
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in sign.php in tinyguestbook allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) name and (2) msg parameters. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5201 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the tinyguestbook application's sign.php script. This vulnerability manifests through two distinct input parameters namely name and msg which are processed without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the database query execution flow, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized data access.
From a technical perspective this vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization. The attack vector exploits the application's failure to implement proper input validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to manipulate the SQL query structure through crafted malicious input. When the application processes the name and msg parameters, it directly incorporates these values into database queries without any form of sanitization, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled data can alter the intended query execution path.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential system infiltration. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from the database including user credentials, personal data, and application configuration details. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system. Furthermore, the vulnerability could enable attackers to modify or delete database records, potentially disrupting application functionality and compromising data integrity. The implications are particularly severe in environments where the guestbook application might be used to store sensitive user information or where database privileges are not properly restricted.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to ensure that user-supplied data cannot alter the intended SQL query structure. The application should validate all input parameters against expected formats and lengths while implementing proper escaping mechanisms for any data that must be incorporated into SQL queries. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that database accounts used by the application have minimal required permissions and that separate accounts are used for different database operations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional monitoring and blocking capabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar injection flaws in other application components. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect and respond to suspicious SQL query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper database query construction in web applications. The flaw represents a classic example of how insufficient sanitization of user input can lead to complete system compromise, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security practices throughout the software development lifecycle. The remediation efforts should not only address the immediate vulnerability but also establish robust security controls to prevent similar issues from occurring in other application components.