CVE-2009-3715 in MCshoutbox
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in scr_login.php in MCshoutbox 1.1, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) username and (2) password parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3715 affects MCshoutbox version 1.1 and represents a critical SQL injection flaw in the scr_login.php script. This vulnerability arises specifically when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters. The vulnerability impacts the authentication mechanism of the application by targeting the username and password parameters, which are processed without proper input sanitization or validation.
The technical flaw stems from improper handling of user-supplied input within the login script where direct concatenation of user parameters into SQL queries occurs. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, PHP does not automatically escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data, leaving the application susceptible to injection attacks. Attackers can craft malicious input strings that, when processed by the vulnerable application, alter the intended SQL query structure. This allows adversaries to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information or even escalating privileges within the database environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it directly compromises the authentication system of MCshoutbox applications. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to bypass authentication mechanisms, potentially gaining full administrative access to the application and its associated database. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform data manipulation operations including but not limited to data extraction, modification, or deletion of sensitive user information. Additionally, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to other systems that share the same database infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques to prevent malicious SQL code from being executed. The most effective immediate fix involves enabling magic_quotes_gpc or implementing custom escaping functions for all user inputs before database query execution. Application developers should adopt prepared statements or parameterized queries to separate SQL code from data, which provides robust protection against SQL injection attacks. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, regularly updating the application to patched versions, and conducting thorough security testing including penetration testing can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws and corresponds to techniques listed in the ATT&CK framework under T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities and T1078 for valid accounts, highlighting the critical nature of proper authentication security measures.