CVE-2007-3345 in PHPAccounts
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.php in PHPAccounts 0.5 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) Outgoing_Type_ID, (2) Outgoing_ID, (3) Project_ID, (4) Client_ID, (5) Invoice_ID, or (6) Vendor_ID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3345 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within PHPAccounts version 0.5, specifically affecting the index.php script. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters that are directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. The affected parameters include Outgoing_Type_ID, Outgoing_ID, Project_ID, Client_ID, Invoice_ID, and Vendor_ID, all of which are processed through the same vulnerable code path, creating a systemic weakness that attackers can exploit across multiple data entities within the application's database.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize input data before incorporating it into database queries. When an attacker submits malicious input through any of the six identified parameters, the application constructs SQL statements that directly concatenate user input without appropriate escaping or parameter binding mechanisms. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a result of inadequate input validation and improper query construction techniques. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user input transitions into database execution contexts, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially provide attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive data and database manipulation capabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using PHPAccounts 0.5 as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential information such as user credentials, financial records, project data, and client information. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers may also be able to modify or delete database records, potentially causing system downtime or data corruption. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, as it exploits weaknesses in web application interfaces. The attack surface is broad due to the multiple parameter vectors available, making detection and mitigation more challenging for security administrators.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query construction practices. Organizations should implement input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters that could be used in SQL injection attacks, particularly those related to SQL operators such as semicolons, single quotes, and comment delimiters. The most effective mitigation involves transitioning from dynamic SQL query construction to prepared statements or parameterized queries, which ensures that user input is treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database user permissions can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Security measures should also include regular input validation, output encoding, and comprehensive application security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application's codebase.