CVE-2007-3000 in PHP JackKnife
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in PHP JackKnife (PHPJK) allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the iCategoryUnq parameter to G_Display.php or (2) the iSearchID parameter to Search/DisplayResults.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3000 represents a critical security flaw in PHP JackKnife (PHPJK), a content management system that was widely used for web applications during the mid-2000s era. This vulnerability manifests as multiple SQL injection opportunities that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database systems. The flaw specifically affects two distinct input parameters within the application's codebase, creating pathways for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input values. The vulnerability impacts the core functionality of PHPJK's content display and search mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through common user interactions with the web application interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization within the PHPJK application's database interaction code. When the iCategoryUnq parameter is passed to G_Display.php or the iSearchID parameter is submitted to Search/DisplayResults.php, the application fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before incorporating them into SQL queries. This creates a classic SQL injection scenario where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as part of the SQL command structure rather than as literal data values. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications. The lack of proper input sanitization allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that can alter the intended query execution, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with direct database access capabilities that can compromise entire web applications and their underlying data repositories. Remote attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and application configuration details. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations such as selecting, inserting, updating, or deleting records, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Given that PHPJK was commonly used for web applications, the exploitation of these vulnerabilities could result in widespread data breaches affecting multiple users and organizations that relied on this platform. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3000 should focus on immediate input validation and parameter sanitization measures to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user input is properly escaped and treated as data rather than executable code. The most effective remediation involves updating the PHPJK application to a patched version that addresses these specific vulnerabilities, as the original codebase contains fundamental security flaws that cannot be adequately mitigated through workarounds. Security administrators should also implement web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious SQL injection patterns, and conduct thorough input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be performed to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications, as this type of flaw was prevalent in web applications of that era and similar issues continue to be discovered in modern systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing database-related security incidents that can have far-reaching consequences for organizations relying on web-based applications.