CVE-2001-1025 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
PHP-Nuke 5.x allows remote attackers to perform arbitrary SQL operations by modifying the "prefix" variable when calling any scripts that do not already define the prefix variable (e.g., by including mainfile.php), such as article.php.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2025
This vulnerability exists in PHP-Nuke version 5.x where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the "prefix" variable during script execution. The flaw occurs when scripts that do not explicitly define the database prefix variable are accessed, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through manipulation of this parameter. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling within the application's database interaction layer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper sanitization in how PHP-Nuke processes the prefix variable. When scripts like article.php are accessed without prior definition of the database prefix, the application accepts user-supplied input directly into SQL query construction. This creates an SQL injection opportunity where attackers can manipulate the prefix variable to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects scripts that do not include mainfile.php, which typically handles proper variable initialization and validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain complete control over the application's database, potentially leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, and full system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core database integrity and can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on PHP-Nuke for content management. This represents a critical security weakness that violates fundamental database security principles and can result in significant business disruption.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability involve implementing proper input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in database operations. Organizations should ensure that all database prefix variables are properly validated and sanitized before being used in SQL queries. The recommended approach includes implementing parameterized queries, input filtering, and proper access controls to prevent unauthorized database interactions. Additionally, upgrading to patched versions of PHP-Nuke and implementing proper security monitoring can help prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. This issue aligns with CWE-89 which addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, and represents a technique that could be categorized under ATT&CK tactic TA0006 (Credential Access) and TA0002 (Execution) depending on the exploitation method used.