CVE-2009-2436 in MyPHPDating
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in page.php in Online Dating Software MyPHPDating 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the page_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2436 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the MyPHPDating 1.0 online dating software platform. This vulnerability specifically targets the page.php script which serves as a central component for displaying various pages within the dating application. The flaw exists in how the application processes user input through the page_id parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database. This particular weakness demonstrates poor input validation and sanitization practices that are fundamental to secure application development.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted page_id parameter value that contains malicious SQL code. The application fails to properly escape or validate this input before incorporating it into database queries, allowing the attacker to manipulate the intended query structure. This enables the execution of arbitrary SQL commands which can range from simple data enumeration to complete database compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential user information, modify database records, or even escalate privileges within the application's database environment. The remote nature of this attack vector means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the server infrastructure. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the exploitation of remote services through injection attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-2436 extends beyond immediate data compromise to encompass broader security implications for the dating platform and its users. Given that this is a dating application, the compromised data likely includes personal user information, relationship details, and potentially sensitive communication records. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat that can be exploited repeatedly by attackers, making it particularly dangerous for long-term operation. Organizations using this software face potential regulatory compliance issues, reputational damage, and legal consequences from data breaches. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper application security testing and input validation mechanisms. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that many dating platforms store highly sensitive personal information making the potential impact of SQL injection attacks significantly more severe than typical web application vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent malicious SQL code from being executed. Developers should employ prepared statements or parameterized queries when interacting with databases, ensuring that user input is properly escaped and treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, input sanitization measures should be implemented to filter out potentially dangerous characters and sequences. Security measures should include regular code reviews focusing on database interaction patterns and implementation of web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious query patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing database access controls and monitoring systems to detect unauthorized database access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for security awareness training for developers and adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines.