CVE-2007-0309 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in blocks/block-Old_Articles.php in Francisco Burzi PHP-Nuke 7.9 and earlier, when register_globals is enabled and magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cat parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0309 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHP-Nuke content management system version 7.9 and earlier. This security weakness specifically resides in the blocks/block-Old_Articles.php file, which processes user input through the cat parameter without proper sanitization. The vulnerability exploits a fundamental misconfiguration in the web application's input handling mechanism, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires specific environmental conditions to be effective, namely the presence of register_globals enabled and magic_quotes_gpc disabled within the PHP configuration. When these settings are present, the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL queries. The cat parameter becomes a vector for injection attacks where malicious input can alter the intended query structure, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. This configuration creates a dangerous environment where user input directly influences database operations without adequate protection mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations utilizing vulnerable PHP-Nuke installations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract confidential data including user credentials, personal information, and system configurations. The remote execution capability means that malicious actors do not require physical access to the system, enabling them to conduct attacks from anywhere on the internet. Database administrators may face unauthorized modifications, data corruption, or complete system compromise, potentially leading to service disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and significant financial losses. The vulnerability also provides attackers with potential access to backend administrative functions, enabling further escalation of privileges and persistent access to the compromised system.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including disabling register_globals and enabling magic_quotes_gpc settings within PHP configurations to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to PHP-Nuke versions that address this security flaw, as well as implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls and database activity monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-89 SQL Injection, which is classified as a high-risk weakness requiring immediate remediation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a Database Injection technique, with potential subsequent actions including Credential Access and Privilege Escalation, making it a critical target for defensive measures. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system architecture.