CVE-2001-1482 in phpBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in bb_memberlist.php for phpBB 1.4.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries via the $sortby variable.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1482 represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in the bb_memberlist.php script of phpBB version 1.4.2. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's member listing functionality, specifically in how the $sortby variable is processed. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the sql query execution flow by injecting malicious sql code through the sortby parameter, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive database information.
This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications. The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input from the sortby parameter is directly concatenated into sql query strings without proper sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input that alters the intended sql query structure, potentially bypassing authentication mechanisms, extracting confidential data, or even modifying database contents through carefully constructed injection payloads.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1482 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the application environment. Since phpBB is a widely deployed bulletin board system for web forums, successful exploitation could compromise entire forum databases containing user credentials, private messages, and other sensitive information. The remote nature of this vulnerability means attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations running unpatched phpBB installations. This vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the attack pattern taxonomy under the category of sql injection attacks that target web application input validation weaknesses.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and application-level filtering of user-supplied data. The most effective remediation involves properly sanitizing all user inputs before incorporating them into sql queries, implementing proper escape sequences, or utilizing prepared statements with parameterized queries. Additionally, access controls should be reviewed to limit database access permissions for web applications, following principle of least privilege. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and proper sql query construction in preventing injection attacks, a fundamental security practice that should be implemented across all web applications processing user data. The incident also underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems.