CVE-2007-1450 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in mainfile.php in PHP-Nuke 8.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands in the Top or News module via the lang parameter.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1450 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHP-Nuke content management system version 8.0 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the mainfile.php component and manifests through the lang parameter within the Top or News module, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the application's codebase, allowing malicious actors to manipulate SQL query structures through crafted input parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the lang parameter, which is then directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or sanitization. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89, which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields that are subsequently processed by database servers. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it targets the core database interaction mechanisms of the CMS, potentially allowing attackers to bypass authentication, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even gain full system control depending on the database privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing PHP-Nuke 8.0 or earlier versions, as it provides remote attackers with unauthorized access to backend databases containing sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, and system configurations. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized modifications to website content. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where attackers target web applications to gain initial access, and T1071.005 - Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, as it exploits web application vulnerabilities through HTTP requests containing malicious SQL payloads.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to PHP-Nuke versions that have addressed this specific vulnerability, as newer releases include proper input validation and parameterized query implementations. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization techniques, including the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries, can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other applications. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should also be deployed to monitor and block suspicious SQL injection attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and following secure coding practices to prevent injection flaws that can compromise entire systems. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify and remediate similar weaknesses across their application portfolios.