CVE-2010-4612 in Hycus
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in index.php in Hycus CMS 1.0.3, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) user_name and (2) usr_email parameters to user/1/hregister.html, (3) usr_email parameter to user/1/hlogin.html, (4) useremail parameter to user/1/forgotpass.html, and the (5) q parameter to search/1.html. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The CVE-2010-4612 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw in Hycus CMS 1.0.3 that exploits improper input validation mechanisms within multiple web application endpoints. This vulnerability specifically targets the core database interaction components of the content management system, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL query constructions without adequate sanitization or parameterization. The flaw manifests when the PHP configuration setting magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, which removes the automatic escaping of special characters that would normally protect against such attacks. This configuration oversight creates a dangerous environment where malicious actors can inject crafted SQL payloads through various user input points within the application's authentication and search functionalities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through five distinct attack vectors that target different pages within the CMS architecture. The primary attack surfaces include the user registration endpoint at user/1/hregister.html where the user_name and usr_email parameters can be manipulated, the login page user/1/hlogin.html where the usr_email parameter presents an attack vector, the password recovery mechanism at user/1/forgotpass.html through the useremail parameter, and finally the search functionality at search/1.html via the q parameter. Each of these endpoints fails to implement proper input validation or parameterized query construction, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can be executed within the database context. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses that occur when user-supplied data is improperly integrated into SQL commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to gain complete control over the underlying database system. Attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands to extract sensitive user credentials, modify or delete database records, inject malicious content into the web application, or even escalate privileges to system-level access depending on the database configuration. The vulnerability affects not only individual user accounts but potentially the entire CMS infrastructure, including administrative credentials and system configurations. Organizations running Hycus CMS 1.0.3 with magic_quotes_gpc disabled face significant risk of data compromise, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by both skilled attackers and automated scanning tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4612 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Hycus CMS, as the vulnerability was resolved in subsequent releases through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. Organizations should also ensure that magic_quotes_gpc is properly configured or implement alternative input sanitization measures, though the recommended approach is to eliminate reliance on deprecated PHP configurations. Database access controls should be reviewed to limit the privileges of the application's database user account, implementing the principle of least privilege to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation. Additionally, implementing proper web application firewalls, input validation routines, and regular security assessments can provide defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper database interaction patterns and adherence to secure coding practices, particularly the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries as recommended by both OWASP and NIST security guidelines.