CVE-2014-9239 in IP.Board
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the IPS Connect service (interface/ipsconnect/ipsconnect.php) in Invision Power Board (aka IPB or IP.Board) 3.3.x and 3.4.x through 3.4.7 before 20141114 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id[] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2018
The vulnerability CVE-2014-9239 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the IPS Connect service component of Invision Power Board versions 3.3.x and 3.4.x up to 3.4.7. This vulnerability specifically affects the interface file ipsconnect/ipsconnect.php which serves as a communication layer between IPB installations and external services. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly within the id[] parameter that is processed through the IPS Connect functionality. This parameter is designed to handle array inputs for identification purposes but fails to properly escape or validate the data before incorporating it into database queries. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses in software that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit maliciously crafted data through the id[] parameter in requests made to the IPS Connect service. When the application processes this parameter without proper sanitization, the malformed input gets directly incorporated into SQL query strings, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands. This enables a range of malicious activities including unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core IPS Connect functionality that many IPB installations use for integration with external systems, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit multiple installations simultaneously. The attack vector requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in network services.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9239 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive user credentials, personal information, and administrative access tokens from the database. The vulnerability affects organizations running vulnerable IPB versions, potentially compromising forums, community platforms, and any systems relying on the IPS Connect service for cross-platform communication. Given that IPB was widely used for enterprise forums and community platforms, the scope of potential impact was significant. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions faced risks of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability also poses risks to the broader ecosystem since compromised IPB installations could serve as entry points for lateral movement within network environments. The specific timeframe of the vulnerability's disclosure in November 2014 indicates that many organizations had extended exposure periods without proper patching, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper parameter handling in web applications, particularly in service interfaces that process external data. The remediation strategy involves immediate patching of affected IPB installations to version 3.4.7 or later, along with implementation of proper input validation measures and web application firewalls to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other components of the platform.