CVE-2007-2006 in pL-PHP
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in login.php in pL-PHP beta 0.9 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) login or (2) pass parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2006 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the pL-PHP beta 0.9 web application framework. This vulnerability specifically targets the login.php script which serves as the primary authentication interface for the system. The flaw exists in how the application processes user input for login credentials, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters. The vulnerability affects both the login and pass parameters, indicating a systemic issue in input validation and query construction within the authentication module. This represents a classic example of improper input validation that violates fundamental security principles and creates a direct path for database exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. When users submit their login credentials through the login.php interface, the application directly concatenates the login and pass parameters into database queries without adequate filtering or parameterization. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that alters the intended query execution flow. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially full database compromise. An attacker could execute arbitrary SQL commands, retrieve sensitive information from database tables, modify or delete data, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The affected pL-PHP framework's authentication mechanism becomes completely compromised, allowing unauthorized users to bypass login controls entirely. This creates a persistent security risk that could lead to data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the vulnerable application resides. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target the system from external networks without requiring physical access or prior credentials.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the authentication module, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before database interaction. Organizations should implement input sanitization routines that filter out or escape special SQL characters, and adopt prepared statements or stored procedures to prevent query injection. Additionally, the system should enforce proper access controls and monitoring to detect anomalous database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security hardening measures including web application firewalls, regular security assessments, and comprehensive input validation should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of the system. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper database access controls in web application development.