CVE-2010-5014 in Elite Gaming Ladders
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in standings.php in Elite Gaming Ladders 3.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the ladder[id] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5014 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Elite Gaming Ladders 3.5 web application, specifically affecting the standings.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the ladder[id] parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries by injecting malicious SQL code directly through the web interface, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure and the sensitive information it contains.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a common weakness in web applications where improper input validation allows attackers to execute unauthorized database commands. The vulnerability operates by directly incorporating user input into SQL query construction without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms. When an attacker submits a malicious value through the ladder[id] parameter, the application processes this input within the SQL statement, effectively allowing the attacker to modify the intended query execution path and potentially gain unauthorized access to database contents, including user credentials, game statistics, and other sensitive operational data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform complete database manipulation operations including data retrieval, modification, deletion, and potentially even privilege escalation within the database system. This represents a severe threat to the integrity and confidentiality of gaming ladder data, user accounts, and system resources. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for online gaming platforms that rely on trusted database operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent malicious SQL code injection. The recommended approach involves using prepared statements with parameterized queries for all database interactions, which ensures that user input is properly escaped and treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, input sanitization, and output encoding can significantly reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security audits to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include updating the affected application to a patched version and conducting thorough security testing to ensure no other injection points exist within the system, aligning with the principles of secure coding practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.