CVE-2009-4667 in WebMember
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in form.php in WebMember 1.0 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the formID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4667 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the WebMember 1.0 web application, specifically affecting the form.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user input parameters, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the formID parameter, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker who has already obtained legitimate user credentials can exploit this weakness to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a serious weakness in web applications where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization. This flaw operates at the application layer and demonstrates poor input validation practices, where the form.php script fails to implement proper parameterized queries or input filtering mechanisms. The attack vector is straightforward yet devastating, as authenticated users can manipulate the formID parameter to inject SQL commands that bypass authentication checks, extract confidential information, modify database records, or even delete entire tables. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to distinguish between legitimate user input and malicious SQL code, creating an environment where database operations can be hijacked by unauthorized parties.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations using WebMember 1.0, as it allows attackers with minimal privileges to escalate their access and potentially compromise entire database systems. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as attackers could modify user accounts, manipulate application functionality, or create backdoors for persistent access. The vulnerability affects database integrity, confidentiality, and availability, making it a critical concern for any organization relying on this web application for user management or form processing. The authenticated nature of the attack means that the exploitation requires legitimate user credentials, but once obtained, the attacker can leverage this weakness to perform actions that would normally be restricted to administrators or privileged users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4667 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code. Organizations must ensure that all user inputs, particularly those used in database operations, are properly sanitized and validated before being processed. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be mandatory for all database interactions, effectively preventing SQL injection attacks by separating SQL code from data. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the impact of successful exploitation by restricting the privileges of authenticated users and implementing principle of least privilege. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping web applications updated with the latest security patches and following secure coding practices as recommended by industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for web application security.