CVE-2009-2269 in Phome Empire
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Empire CMS 5.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the bid parameter to the default URI under e/tool/gbook/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2269 represents a critical sql injection flaw within Empire CMS version 5.1 that exposes the content management system to remote code execution attacks. This weakness specifically manifests through the bid parameter in the default URI path e/tool/gbook/, where the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into sql query constructions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that allow malicious actors to inject malicious sql payloads directly through the web interface, bypassing normal authentication and authorization controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted bid parameter value that contains sql injection syntax to the targeted endpoint. The application processes this input without proper sanitization or parameterization, resulting in the execution of unintended sql commands against the underlying database. This flaw falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper escaping or parameterization. The attack vector operates through standard http requests that can be executed from any remote location, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it does not require any special privileges or local access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract database contents including user credentials, configuration files, and application data. The potential for privilege escalation exists when the database user has elevated permissions, allowing attackers to execute system commands or modify application behavior. This vulnerability directly aligns with attack techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under the category of sql injection attacks and can be classified as a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited through the application layer without requiring system-level access.
Organizations using Empire CMS 5.1 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input sanitization mechanisms that validate and filter all user-supplied data before processing. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that application accounts have minimal required privileges and that proper access logging is implemented. Security patches should be applied immediately if available, and network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries in preventing sql injection attacks, aligning with industry best practices outlined in secure coding standards and security frameworks that emphasize the prevention of injection flaws as one of the most critical web application security concerns.