CVE-2010-5063 in Virtual War
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in article.php in Virtual War (aka VWar) 1.6.1 R2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the ratearticleselect parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2025
The CVE-2010-5063 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in Virtual War version 1.6.1 R2, specifically within the article.php script. This vulnerability manifests through the ratearticleselect parameter which fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into sql query constructions. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the application's database interactions by injecting malicious sql commands through the vulnerable parameter, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper sql query construction practices within the application's codebase, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes sql injection as a weakness where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input for the ratearticleselect parameter that when processed by the application, gets interpreted as sql code rather than simple data. This allows for arbitrary sql command execution, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive information from the database, modify existing records, or even delete entire database tables. The vulnerability exists because the application does not employ prepared statements or proper parameterized queries, instead relying on string concatenation methods that make it susceptible to injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve persistent access within the application's environment. Remote exploitation means that attackers do not require physical access or network proximity to the system, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, allowing attackers to access user credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data stored within the virtual war application's database. The vulnerability also enables potential privilege escalation attacks where attackers might gain administrative access to the application, leading to further compromise of the underlying infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-5063 should focus on immediate patching of the vulnerable Virtual War application to version 1.6.1 R3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before database interactions. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be mandatory for all database operations to prevent sql injection attacks. Additionally, access controls should be reviewed and strengthened, including limiting database user privileges to the minimum necessary for application functionality. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious database access patterns and potential exploitation attempts, aligning with defense-in-depth principles recommended by cybersecurity frameworks such as those outlined in the mitre ATT&CK framework for database attack techniques.
The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments for web applications. Organizations should implement comprehensive application security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar sql injection flaws in their codebases. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be established to ensure timely remediation of known vulnerabilities. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical nature of input validation and the potential consequences of inadequate security measures in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive user data and database interactions.