CVE-2008-6596 in PHCDownload
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in admin/index.php in PHCDownload 1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the hash parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2025
The CVE-2008-6596 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw in the PHCDownload 1.1 content management system that exposes administrators to remote code execution risks. This vulnerability specifically affects the admin/index.php component where the hash parameter is improperly validated, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database layer. The issue stems from insufficient input sanitization and improper parameter handling within the administrative interface, which is a fundamental security weakness that violates core principles of secure coding practices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious hash parameter value that bypasses normal input validation mechanisms and directly manipulates the SQL query execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a persistent security flaw where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. The attack vector operates at the application layer where user-supplied input directly influences database query construction, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially escalate to full system compromise. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries leverage exposed administrative interfaces to gain unauthorized access to backend systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database server. This could result in complete database compromise, unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the administrative functionality of PHCDownload 1.1, which typically requires elevated privileges to access, making the potential impact more severe as attackers could gain administrative control over the entire download management system. Organizations relying on this software would face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential compliance violations due to the exposure of sensitive information through unauthorized database access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching and code review processes to address the root cause of improper input validation. System administrators should implement input validation measures including parameterized queries, proper escaping of special characters, and input sanitization routines to prevent malicious SQL code injection. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional protection layers, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process should also include implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to limit exposure of administrative interfaces to trusted users only, as recommended by security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards for secure application development and maintenance practices.