CVE-2004-0269 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in PHP-Nuke 6.9 and earlier, and possibly 7.x, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary SQL code and gain sensitive information via (1) the category variable in the Search module or (2) the admin variable in the Web_Links module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0269 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting PHP-Nuke versions 6.9 and earlier, with potential impacts extending to version 7.x. This vulnerability resides within the web application's database interaction mechanisms, specifically exposing input validation weaknesses in two distinct modules. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious SQL commands by manipulating specific parameters within the application's request handling process, fundamentally compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the underlying database system.
The technical exploitation occurs through two primary attack vectors that leverage insufficient input sanitization. The first vector targets the category variable within the Search module, where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper escaping or parameterization. The second vector exploits the admin variable in the Web_Links module, presenting similar vulnerabilities in how administrative parameters are processed. Both attack paths demonstrate the classic SQL injection pattern where attacker-controlled data flows directly into database commands, bypassing normal security controls and authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data retrieval, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise. Attackers can extract sensitive information including user credentials, administrative access details, and confidential application data. The vulnerability's remote nature eliminates the need for local system access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any network location. This exposure creates opportunities for data breaches, unauthorized access to administrative functions, and potential escalation to full system compromise through database-level attacks.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a direct manifestation of CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1190, covering exploitation of remote services. Organizations utilizing affected PHP-Nuke versions must implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper output encoding. The recommended remediation strategy involves upgrading to patched versions of PHP-Nuke, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all database interaction points. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database privilege management can significantly reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, as attackers typically require elevated privileges to execute destructive database operations.