CVE-2012-2908 in Viscacha
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in admin/bbcodes.php in Viscacha 0.8.1.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) bbcodeexample, (2) buttonimage, or (3) bbcodetag parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2908 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the Viscacha 0.8.1.1 bulletin board system. This vulnerability resides within the administrative component of the software, specifically in the admin/bbcodes.php file, which handles the management of bulletin board codes used for formatting posts. The flaw affects the bbcodeexample, buttonimage, and bbcodetag parameters, all of which are processed without adequate input validation or sanitization, creating an exploitable condition that could allow malicious actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query constructs. When administrators or users interact with the bbcodes management interface, the parameters mentioned above are directly concatenated into SQL statements without appropriate sanitization measures. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a common weakness in software applications where untrusted data is improperly integrated into database queries. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of insecure input handling where the application trust model is violated, allowing attackers to manipulate the intended execution flow of database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary commands on the database server. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, including unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. Attackers could potentially escalate privileges within the database environment, extract sensitive information such as user credentials, forum configurations, or even gain access to underlying server resources. The vulnerability affects the administrative functionality of Viscacha, meaning that compromise of this component could lead to full system control, making it particularly dangerous for web applications hosting user-generated content where administrative access is critical for maintaining forum integrity.
Organizations utilizing Viscacha 0.8.1.1 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper escaping of user-supplied data. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input sanitization techniques that prevent malicious SQL code from being executed, such as using prepared statements or stored procedures. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened to limit administrative functionality to authorized personnel only. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and vulnerability assessments, as it demonstrates how legacy applications often contain unpatched security flaws that can be exploited by threat actors. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, indicating that organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly, as this particular flaw represents a well-documented issue that has been resolved in later versions of the software.