CVE-2007-6578 in PHP ZLink
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in go.php in PHP ZLink 0.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6578 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHP ZLink 0.3 web application, specifically affecting the go.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the id parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the application's database queries, potentially compromising the entire backend database infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the link redirection system, where user requests are processed through the go.php endpoint that fails to properly escape or parameterize input values before incorporating them into SQL statements. This issue directly violates fundamental web application security principles and creates a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to exploit database systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the PHP ZLink 0.3 application where the id parameter is directly concatenated into SQL queries without appropriate sanitization measures. When an attacker submits a malicious value through the id parameter, the application processes this input directly within database query construction, allowing the injection of additional SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a critical weakness in web applications. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user input flows directly into database execution contexts, creating an environment where attackers can manipulate database queries through crafted input sequences that bypass normal security controls. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication or privileged access, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can submit requests to the vulnerable application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise including data exfiltration, data modification, and potential system escalation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, and application configuration details from the database. The consequences include unauthorized access to user accounts, modification of database contents, and potential establishment of persistent backdoors within the application environment. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges and potentially compromise the underlying server infrastructure. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving SQL injection and privilege escalation, enabling adversaries to move laterally within the network and maintain persistent access to compromised systems. The impact on business operations includes potential regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, reputational damage, and legal consequences due to data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized query execution throughout the PHP ZLink 0.3 application. The most effective remediation involves replacing direct input concatenation with prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from data values. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization routines that validate and filter all user-supplied data before processing, ensuring that special SQL characters and sequences are properly escaped or removed. Additionally, the application should be updated to a newer version of PHP ZLink that addresses this vulnerability, as the affected version 0.3 contains multiple security flaws that compound the risk. Network-level defenses including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Access controls should be implemented to limit database access privileges, ensuring that the application database user account has minimal required permissions to reduce potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.