CVE-2009-2885 in World's Tallest Buildings
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in bios.php in PHP Scripts Now World s Tallest Buildings allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the rank parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2885 represents a critical sql injection flaw in the bios.php script of PHP Scripts Now World s Tallest Buildings web application. This vulnerability resides within the handling of user input parameters, specifically the rank parameter that is processed without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql code directly into the application's database query execution flow, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability affects web applications that process user-supplied data through unsanitized input channels, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows standard sql injection patterns where the rank parameter is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper parameterization or input filtering mechanisms. When an attacker submits malicious input through the rank parameter, the application fails to validate or escape special sql characters, allowing the injected commands to execute within the database context. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 sql injection within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, which specifically addresses the improper handling of sql commands in application code. The attack vector leverages the application's trust in user input without sufficient validation, creating a direct pathway for data manipulation and unauthorized database access.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-2885 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to extract sensitive user data, modify database records, or even escalate privileges within the database system. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 application layer protocol and T1190 exploit public-facing application, representing a common attack pattern in modern cybersecurity threat landscapes where remote code execution through web application vulnerabilities is prevalent.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized query execution throughout the application codebase. The primary defense mechanism involves replacing direct sql query construction with prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate sql commands from user input data. Additionally, comprehensive input sanitization routines should be implemented to filter out potentially malicious characters and sequences that could be used for sql injection attacks. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and database permissions to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security code reviews and automated vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar patterns in other application components, ensuring that the same vulnerability does not exist in related scripts or modules within the web application ecosystem.