CVE-2009-3184 in E-gold Game Series:pirates Of The Caribbean
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.php in Pirates of The Caribbean in the E-Gold Game Series allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) x and (2) y parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3184 represents a critical security flaw in the Pirates of The Caribbean game series developed for the E-Gold platform. This issue manifests as multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities within the index.php script, which serves as the primary entry point for user interactions within the game environment. The vulnerability affects the game's backend database communication system, where user input parameters are improperly sanitized before being incorporated into SQL query constructions.
The technical exploitation occurs through two specific parameters named x and y within the index.php file. These parameters appear to handle coordinate or positioning data within the game's interactive elements, but they fail to implement proper input validation or parameterized query construction. Attackers can manipulate these parameters to inject malicious SQL code that bypasses normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization practices, allowing attackers to append SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account used by the web application.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for both the game platform and its users. Remote attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands against the backend database, potentially gaining access to sensitive user information, modifying game data, or even escalating privileges to administrative levels. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as attackers might be able to manipulate game outcomes, corrupt user profiles, or establish persistent access points within the gaming infrastructure. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor secure coding practices in database interaction handling.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. According to the MITRE CWE database, this represents a classic example of insufficient input validation where user-supplied data flows directly into SQL query construction without proper sanitization. The attack vector follows standard penetration testing methodologies that target web applications, with the vulnerability being classified as a remote code execution risk. Security frameworks such as the MITRE ATT&CK matrix would categorize this under the T1190 technique for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, with potential lateral movement opportunities once initial access is gained.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks. The development team must ensure that all user input is properly sanitized and validated before being processed by the database layer. Additionally, implementing proper input validation mechanisms, such as whitelisting acceptable parameter values, would significantly reduce the attack surface. Regular security code reviews and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that web application accounts have minimal required privileges, following the principle of least privilege as outlined in security best practices. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks while the core vulnerabilities are being addressed.