CVE-2008-2479 in phpFix
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in phpFix 2.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) kind parameter to fix/browse.php and the (2) account parameter to auth/00_pass.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2479 represents a critical security flaw in phpFix 2.0, a web-based application designed for system administration and troubleshooting. This vulnerability manifests as multiple SQL injection weaknesses that significantly compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the affected system. The flaw exists within the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically targeting two distinct endpoints that process authentication and browsing functionality. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database server, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access and manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary attack vectors that exploit improper input validation mechanisms within the phpFix application. The first vector targets the kind parameter in the fix/browse.php endpoint where user input is directly concatenated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. The second vector exploits the account parameter within auth/00_pass.php, which similarly fails to properly validate or escape user-provided data before incorporating it into database operations. Both attack paths demonstrate a fundamental lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are essential for preventing SQL injection attacks according to industry best practices and security standards.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, creating a comprehensive threat landscape that includes unauthorized database access, data manipulation, and potential system compromise. Attackers leveraging these vulnerabilities can execute arbitrary SQL commands that may allow them to extract sensitive information such as user credentials, system configurations, or confidential business data. The remote nature of these attacks means that adversaries can exploit the vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access to the system. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, demonstrating how attackers can systematically exploit web application flaws to gain unauthorized access to backend database systems.
The exploitation of these vulnerabilities requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated using common penetration testing tools, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that do not maintain up-to-date security practices. The lack of proper input validation and parameterized queries creates a persistent threat that can be leveraged for privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and potentially system compromise. Organizations utilizing phpFix 2.0 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper database access controls. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input sanitization techniques as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, emphasizing that even seemingly simple applications can contain critical security flaws that expose entire systems to compromise.