CVE-2009-4689 in PHP Shopping Cart Selling Website Script
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in PHP Shopping Cart Selling Website Script allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4689 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the php shopping cart selling website script, specifically targeting the index.php file. This vulnerability resides in the handling of the cid parameter which serves as a category identifier within the web application's functionality. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the application's database interactions by injecting malicious sql commands through this parameter, effectively bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under the category of insecure input handling and demonstrates a classic sql injection attack vector where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate or escape user input before incorporating it into database queries. When the cid parameter is processed in index.php, the application constructs sql statements that directly concatenate user-provided values without appropriate filtering mechanisms. This creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious input that alters the intended sql query structure, potentially allowing them to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even execute administrative commands on the underlying database system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database interaction layer, where successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise and unauthorized access to customer information, transaction records, and other sensitive business data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to businesses utilizing the affected php shopping cart script, as it allows remote code execution capabilities that can result in data breaches, financial losses, and regulatory compliance violations. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as attackers can potentially escalate privileges within the database, create backdoors, or manipulate product catalogs and pricing information. Organizations may face severe consequences including customer trust erosion, legal liability under data protection regulations such as gdpr, and potential criminal prosecution for failing to secure customer data. The vulnerability affects any system running the specific version of the php shopping cart script that contains this flaw, making it particularly widespread in environments where legacy applications are deployed without proper security updates.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied data, particularly parameters like cid, are properly sanitized before database interaction occurs. The recommended approach involves adopting prepared statements with bound parameters, which separates sql logic from data input, effectively neutralizing injection attempts. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database privilege management can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments, including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing, should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other application components. The fix aligns with security best practices outlined in owasp top ten and cwe 89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities and emphasizes the importance of proper input validation and parameterization in preventing such attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.