CVE-2012-4990 in OpenX
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in admin/campaign-zone-link.php in OpenX 2.8.10 before revision 81823 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the ids[] parameter in a link action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2018
The CVE-2012-4990 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the OpenX advertising platform version 2.8.10 and earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically targets the admin/campaign-zone-link.php script which handles campaign-zone linking operations within the administrative interface. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the underlying database. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the administrative backend of the platform, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive advertising data and system configurations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the ids[] parameter within the link action of the campaign-zone-link.php script. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the data before incorporating it into sql queries executed against the database. This lack of proper input filtering creates a direct injection vector where attacker-controlled sql fragments can be executed with the privileges of the web application's database user. The vulnerability is classified as a classic sql injection attack pattern that aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the entire advertising ecosystem managed by OpenX. Successful exploitation could allow adversaries to modify campaign configurations, access confidential advertising data, alter zone assignments, and potentially escalate privileges within the database. The administrative nature of the affected script means that attackers could gain comprehensive control over the advertising platform's operations, affecting revenue optimization, user targeting capabilities, and overall platform integrity. This vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access points within the advertising infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on OpenX for their digital advertising operations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. The recommended remediation involves updating to OpenX version 2.8.10 revision 81823 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security assessments, and establishing proper input sanitization procedures can help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1190 technique for exploit public-facing application, emphasizing the need for proper application hardening and regular security maintenance. Organizations should also consider implementing database access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized sql command execution attempts.