CVE-2004-2716 in phpMyChat
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in usersL.php3 in PHPMyChat 0.14.5 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) sortBy, (2) sortOrder, (3) startReg, (4) U, (5) LastCheck , and (6) R parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2716 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in PHPMyChat version 0.14.5, specifically within the usersL.php3 script. This vulnerability exposes multiple attack vectors through six distinct parameters including sortBy, sortOrder, startReg, U, LastCheck, and R, which collectively create pathways for remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database infrastructure. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's user management interface, where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into SQL query constructions without proper escaping or parameterization.
This vulnerability operates under the well-documented Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which classifies SQL injection as a persistent weakness allowing attackers to execute malicious SQL commands against the database backend. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PHPMyChat was a widely deployed open-source chat application used in numerous web environments, making the exploitation potential substantial across various organizational deployments. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges, establish persistent backdoors, or conduct further reconnaissance within the compromised environment. The remote nature of the attack means that no local system access is required, and the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive user data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, session information, and potentially escalate privileges to administrative levels within the application's database structure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2716 should prioritize immediate patching of affected PHPMyChat installations to version 0.14.6 or later, which contained the necessary input validation fixes. Additionally, implementing proper parameterized queries, input sanitization, and output encoding practices would significantly reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities in future deployments. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense, while regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the application's codebase. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive application security measures including secure coding practices and regular security updates. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect suspicious SQL query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.