CVE-2012-5297 in Guestbook
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in edit.asp in Mavili Guestbook, as released in November 2007, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2019
The CVE-2012-5297 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the Mavili Guestbook application version released in November 2007. This vulnerability resides within the edit.asp component of the web application, which processes user input without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw specifically affects the handling of the 'id' parameter, which is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without adequate input filtering or parameterization. This design oversight creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can inject arbitrary SQL commands through the vulnerable parameter, potentially compromising the entire database backend infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications, making it a prime target for database-centric attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input for the 'id' parameter that contains SQL payload sequences. When the edit.asp script processes this input, it concatenates the user-supplied data directly into the SQL query string, allowing attackers to manipulate the intended database operation. This unfiltered input processing enables adversaries to execute commands such as UNION SELECT statements, DROP TABLE operations, or even retrieve administrative credentials from database tables. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from external network locations without requiring local system access or authentication. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol and T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting its potential for widespread exploitation across internet-facing systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5297 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise and potential system infiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and application configuration details stored within the database. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where malicious actors might gain administrative access to the database management system, allowing them to modify or delete critical data structures. Additionally, the compromised system could serve as a staging ground for further attacks within the network infrastructure, as database servers often contain privileged access credentials and sensitive organizational data. Organizations running this vulnerable version of Mavili Guestbook face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to inadequate security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5297 require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized query approaches. The most effective remediation involves replacing direct string concatenation with proper parameterized queries or stored procedures that separate SQL command structure from data input. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including whitelisting acceptable character sets and length restrictions for the 'id' parameter. Additionally, web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns targeting this specific vulnerability. The application should also be updated to a patched version that addresses the SQL injection flaw, as the original November 2007 release contains multiple security vulnerabilities beyond this single issue. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar injection flaws in other components of the web application, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors. According to industry best practices and NIST guidelines, organizations must prioritize patch management and input validation as fundamental security controls to prevent such database injection attacks from compromising system integrity and data confidentiality.