CVE-2009-4745 in DreamPoll
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.php in Dreamlevels DreamPoll 3.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) sortField, (2) sortDesc, or (3) pageNumber parameter in a login action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4745 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in Dreamlevels DreamPoll 3.1 software, specifically within the index.php script that handles login actions. This vulnerability manifests through three distinct parameter injection points including sortField, sortDesc, and pageNumber parameters, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors to exploit. The flaw resides in the application's improper handling of user-supplied input during authentication processes, where unfiltered parameters are directly incorporated into SQL query constructions without adequate sanitization or parameterization measures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the classic SQL injection pattern where attacker-controlled data is concatenated into database queries without proper input validation or escaping mechanisms. When users submit login requests through the affected DreamPoll application, the sortField, sortDesc, or pageNumber parameters are processed directly within SQL command structures, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the database user. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in data validation and query construction, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices for database interaction handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database system. Attackers could potentially retrieve sensitive user credentials, manipulate database content, or even escalate privileges to gain administrative access to the database server. The login action context makes this particularly dangerous as it provides an entry point for unauthorized access to the application's user management systems, potentially compromising the entire user authentication framework. This vulnerability could facilitate broader attacks including data exfiltration, account takeovers, and persistent access to the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4745 should prioritize immediate implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent user input from being interpreted as SQL code. The application should implement strict input validation and sanitization for all parameters, particularly those used in database operations. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring database accounts used by the application have minimal required permissions. Network-level protections including firewall rules and web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper database query construction as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's database access techniques, where adversaries often leverage injection flaws to compromise database integrity and confidentiality. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be implemented to address similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems, as DreamPoll 3.1 represents an outdated application that likely lacks modern security controls and mitigation measures.