CVE-2005-4213 in phpCOIN
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in mod.php in phpCOIN 1.2.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the phpcoinsessid cookie.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4213 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the phpCOIN 1.2.2 web application, specifically affecting the mod.php component. This vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly when processing the phpcoinsessid cookie parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database layer, potentially compromising the entire backend infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or validate the phpcoinsessid cookie value before incorporating it into sql queries. When the mod.php script processes this cookie value, it directly concatenates the unsanitized input into sql statements without appropriate filtering mechanisms. This creates an exploitable condition where attackers can manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql syntax through the cookie parameter, effectively bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe security implications for organizations utilizing phpCOIN 1.2.2. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary sql commands, potentially leading to data theft, data modification, or complete database compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit this vulnerability. The impact extends beyond simple data access, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to escalate privileges, create backdoors, or establish persistent access to the compromised system.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications. This classification indicates that the flaw represents a fundamental failure in input validation and data sanitization practices within the application's codebase. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under the T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services, with potential subsequent techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1005 for data theft. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and cookie security enhancements to prevent exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate code-level fixes including implementing proper input sanitization for all cookie values and adopting parameterized sql queries to prevent injection attacks. The phpCOIN development team should prioritize releasing a patched version that properly validates and escapes all user inputs before processing them in database operations. Additionally, security measures such as cookie encryption, secure flag implementation, and regular security audits should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.