CVE-2009-4597 in PHP Inventory
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.php in PHP Inventory 1.2 allow (1) remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the user_id parameter in a users details action, and allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (2) user (username) and (3) pass (password) parameters. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4597 represents a critical security flaw in PHP Inventory version 1.2 that exposes multiple pathways for SQL injection attacks. This issue affects the index.php file within the application's user management functionality, specifically targeting parameters used in database queries. The vulnerability's severity stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into SQL command structures, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted input data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through three distinct attack vectors that exploit improper input validation. The first vector involves the user_id parameter within the users details action, where authenticated users can manipulate the database by injecting malicious SQL code through this field. The second and third vectors target the username and password parameters respectively, allowing both authenticated users and remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands. These attack surfaces demonstrate a fundamental flaw in the application's data handling practices where user-supplied data flows directly into database queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform complete database manipulation. Remote authenticated users with legitimate access can escalate their privileges or extract sensitive information from the database, while remote attackers can potentially gain unauthorized access to the system's backend. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the application's data, potentially exposing user credentials, personal information, and other sensitive database content. This represents a significant compromise of the system's security posture and could lead to further exploitation opportunities within the network infrastructure.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004, covering application layer protocol manipulation, and T1566, covering phishing with malicious attachments or links. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper access controls to prevent exploitation. The recommended remediation involves thorough code review to ensure all database interactions use prepared statements or proper escaping mechanisms, while also implementing robust authentication and authorization controls to limit the impact of potential successful attacks.