CVE-2009-1024 in PHPLinkAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Beerwin PHPLinkAdmin 1.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the linkid parameter to edlink.php, and unspecified other vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1024 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Beerwin PHPLinkAdmin 1.0 web application, which poses significant security risks to organizations relying on this link management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the edlink.php script where the linkid parameter is processed without proper input validation or sanitization, creating an exploitable condition that enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries. The flaw extends beyond the single linkid parameter to encompass unspecified other vectors within the application, indicating a broader architectural weakness in input handling and query construction processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL database queries. When an attacker submits malicious input through the linkid parameter in edlink.php, the application directly concatenates this unvalidated data into SQL statements without appropriate sanitization measures. This primitive approach to database interaction creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the database user account associated with the web application. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is used in SQL commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database system, potentially leading to complete database compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and business-critical information stored within the database. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Additionally, the attacker could modify or delete database records, potentially causing data integrity issues and service disruption that could impact business operations.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on credential access and persistence through database manipulation. Attackers may utilize this vulnerability to escalate privileges by extracting administrative credentials stored in the database, or to maintain persistent access through database-level modifications. The vulnerability also supports data extraction and exfiltration tactics, as attackers can query database tables containing sensitive information. Organizations using PHPLinkAdmin 1.0 should consider implementing comprehensive input validation, parameterized queries, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation. The most effective mitigations include immediate application updates to patched versions, implementation of web application firewalls, and thorough code review processes to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Additionally, database access controls should be reviewed to ensure least privilege principles are maintained and that database accounts used by web applications have minimal required permissions to reduce potential impact if exploitation occurs.