CVE-2010-4972 in JokeScript
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in YPNinc JokeScript allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the ypncat_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2025
The CVE-2010-4972 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the YPNinc JokeScript web application, specifically within the index.php file. This vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries. The ypncat_id parameter serves as the primary attack vector, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql code through this input field. The vulnerability exists due to the application's direct concatenation of user input into sql statements without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that enables unauthorized data access and manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard sql injection attack patterns where an attacker crafts malicious input containing sql payload within the ypncat_id parameter. When the application processes this input, it executes the injected sql commands with the privileges of the database user account associated with the web application. This can result in unauthorized data retrieval, modification, or deletion across the entire database, potentially compromising all information stored within the application's database. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it allows remote code execution capabilities, enabling attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper system access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations using the JokeScript application, particularly those handling sensitive user data or business-critical information. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential data, modify application behavior, or establish persistent access points within the target environment. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications, and maps to attack techniques in the mitre att&ck framework under the execution and credential access phases.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2010-4972 requires immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query construction techniques. Organizations should implement prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is properly escaped and treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, input sanitization measures must be strengthened to filter out potentially malicious sql characters and patterns before processing user-supplied data. Security patches should be applied to update the JokeScript application to versions that address this vulnerability, while network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the application's codebase, following secure coding practices as outlined in industry standards and best practices for web application security.