CVE-2007-5916 in phphelpdesk
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the login page in phphelpdesk 0.6.16 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified parameters related to the "login procedures."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5916 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the phphelpdesk 0.6.16 web application that specifically targets the login page functionality. This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a serious security weakness that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input. The flaw exists in the authentication mechanism where user credentials are processed through unspecified parameters during login procedures, creating an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the login page code. When users attempt to authenticate, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql code through the login form fields, potentially manipulating the authentication process to bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database level, meaning successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise including data extraction, modification, or deletion of sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary sql commands on the target system. This means that an attacker could potentially escalate privileges, extract user credentials, access confidential data, or even modify the application's functionality. The remote nature of the attack allows adversaries to exploit this flaw from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system. Given that this vulnerability affects phphelpdesk 0.6.16, which was a popular help desk management system, the potential impact could be significant for organizations relying on this platform for their support ticket management and customer service operations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the latest security patches from the software vendor, implementing proper input validation mechanisms, and configuring web application firewalls to detect and block sql injection attempts. The mitigation approach should follow established security frameworks such as those recommended by the center for cybersecurity and communications and should include regular security assessments of web applications. Additionally, implementing proper database access controls and monitoring mechanisms can help detect unauthorized database access attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper sql query construction in web applications, aligning with the attack technique T1071.004 from the attack tactics and techniques framework which specifically addresses application layer protocol manipulation. The remediation efforts should focus on ensuring that all user inputs are properly sanitized and that the application follows secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.