CVE-2007-2312 in Virtual War
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the Virtual War (VWar) 1.5.0 R15 module for PHP-Nuke allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the n parameter to extra/online.php and other unspecified scripts in extra/. NOTE: this might be same vulnerability as CVE-2006-4142; however, there is an intervening vendor fix announcement.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2312 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Virtual War (VWar) module version 1.5.0 R15 for PHP-Nuke platforms. This security weakness specifically affects the extra/online.php script and other unspecified files within the extra/ directory structure of the vulnerable module. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database query constructions. Attackers can exploit this flaw by manipulating the 'n' parameter to execute malicious SQL commands on the underlying database system, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information or compromising the entire database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the VWar module's code execution flow. When the 'n' parameter is processed in extra/online.php and other related scripts, the application directly incorporates user input into SQL query strings without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This creates an exploitable condition where attackers can inject malicious SQL syntax that gets executed by the database engine. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in input validation and data sanitization practices. The flaw demonstrates poor secure coding practices where dynamic SQL construction occurs without proper use of prepared statements or parameterized queries, making it susceptible to manipulation by malicious actors who understand SQL syntax and database structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to perform complete database compromise operations including data modification, deletion, or unauthorized access to administrative functions. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, extract confidential information such as user credentials, personal data, or business-sensitive records stored within the database. The vulnerability affects systems running PHP-Nuke platforms with the specific VWar module version, potentially impacting websites that rely on this content management system for their online presence. The implications are particularly severe for organizations that store sensitive user information or proprietary data within databases connected to vulnerable PHP-Nuke installations, as the attack surface includes not only data exfiltration but also potential system compromise through database-level attacks.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application as recommended by the vendor, since the vulnerability has been acknowledged and addressed through official security updates. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly parameters used in database query construction. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent dynamic SQL construction with unsanitized inputs. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the PHP-Nuke ecosystem, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and secure coding practices. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1071 for application layer protocols, with potential lateral movement opportunities through database compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect unusual SQL query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.