Source: cve@mitre.org
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in XMB 1.8 Final SP2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary SQL and gain privileges via the (1) ppp parameter in viewthread.php, (2) desc parameter in misc.php, (3) tpp parameter in forumdisplay.php, (4) ascdesc parameter in forumdisplay.php, or (5) the addon parameter in stats.php. NOTE: it has also been shown that item (3) is also in XMB 1.9 beta.
XMB 1.8 Final SP2 and 1.9 Beta are vulnerable to multiple SQL injection flaws, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands. Successful exploitation grants attackers unauthorized access to the database, potentially leading to data breaches, account compromise, and complete system control. This vulnerability is easily exploitable remotely, posing a significant risk to any affected XMB installations.
Step 1: Identify Vulnerable Parameter: The attacker identifies the vulnerable parameters within the XMB forum software, such as ppp in viewthread.php, desc in misc.php, tpp and ascdesc in forumdisplay.php, or addon in stats.php.
Step 2: Craft Malicious Payload: The attacker constructs a malicious SQL payload designed to achieve a specific goal, such as retrieving sensitive data (e.g., usernames, passwords), modifying database records, or executing arbitrary commands on the server.
Step 3: Inject Payload: The attacker injects the crafted SQL payload into the vulnerable parameter through a specially crafted HTTP request.
Step 4: Execute SQL Query: The XMB application, due to the lack of input validation, incorporates the attacker's payload directly into an SQL query.
Step 5: Database Interaction: The database server executes the modified SQL query, which now includes the attacker's malicious commands.
Step 6: Achieve Goal: The attacker's goal is achieved, whether it's data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or system compromise, depending on the payload.
The root cause of CVE-2004-0323 lies in the lack of proper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters within several PHP scripts of the XMB forum software. Specifically, the scripts viewthread.php, misc.php, forumdisplay.php, and stats.php directly incorporate user-controlled input (e.g., ppp, desc, tpp, ascdesc, addon) into SQL queries without adequate filtering or escaping. This allows attackers to craft malicious SQL payloads that are then executed by the database server. The vulnerability stems from a failure to prevent the injection of SQL commands through user-supplied data, leading to unauthorized database access and manipulation. The absence of parameterized queries or prepared statements further exacerbates the issue, making exploitation straightforward.
Due to the age of the vulnerability, it's difficult to attribute specific APT groups. However, any threat actor seeking to compromise web applications could utilize this vulnerability. This vulnerability is not listed on the CISA KEV at this time, but it is a high-severity vulnerability that should be addressed immediately.
Web server logs: Examine web server access logs for suspicious HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads (e.g., single quotes, double quotes, SQL keywords like 'SELECT', 'UNION', 'OR').
Database logs: Review database query logs for unusual or unexpected SQL queries, especially those originating from the web server.
Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS): Deploy and configure IDS/IPS rules to detect SQL injection attempts based on known attack patterns and signatures.
Network traffic analysis: Monitor network traffic for suspicious patterns, such as unusual database query traffic or large data transfers from the web server.
File integrity monitoring: Monitor the integrity of critical XMB files (e.g., PHP scripts) to detect unauthorized modifications.
Upgrade to a patched version of XMB or a more secure forum software. If upgrading is not possible, apply the vendor's security patches immediately.
Implement input validation and sanitization: Ensure that all user-supplied input is properly validated and sanitized before being used in SQL queries. This includes escaping special characters and using parameterized queries or prepared statements.
Use parameterized queries or prepared statements: These prevent SQL injection by separating the SQL code from the user-supplied data.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF): A WAF can help to detect and block SQL injection attempts.
Apply the principle of least privilege: Configure the database user account used by XMB with the minimum necessary privileges to access the database.
Regularly scan for vulnerabilities: Use vulnerability scanners to identify and address potential security weaknesses in the XMB installation.
Harden the web server: Configure the web server to enhance security, such as disabling unnecessary modules and enabling security headers.